NFF elects first female president

Peak Australian ag organisation National Farmers' Federation (NFF) has elected a new president – mixed farmer and grazier Fiona Simson from NSW at its Annual General Meeting held in Canberra yesterday.

Simson will take over from grazier Brent Finlay who was at NFF's helm for the past three years.

According to NFF, Simson will be the first female president in its 37 year history. Prior to this, she served as NFF's Vice President for two years and has been a director of the organisation since 2011.

She was also the first female president of NSW Farmers, a position she held for four years from 2011 to 2015.

"It is an honour and privilege to represent Australian farmers at the national level and to be elected as the NFF’s first female president," Simson says.

"To me, it’s a great acknowledgement that women contribute tremendously on farm, along the value chain and increasingly as thought leaders and public advocates for agriculture."

Moving forward, Simson says she will focus on developing policies to help farmers reap what they sow, as well as improve communication technology that has long plagued the rural and agricultural industries.

"The NFF has a big agenda for agriculture. Issues such as transport infrastructure, digital connectivity, tax reform, Australia’s energy mix, sustainable development and trade reform will all be issues high on my agenda as President," she says.

“To achieve this agenda, I will be focusing on strengthening the NFF’s capacity to provide a strong and united voice and be the sector’s leader in addressing industry challenges and creating opportunities in the new economy.

"I also believe we need to work smarter and beyond our traditional alliances, and include other stakeholders and the community in our conversation in ways that are engaging and effective."

Simson also paid tribute to outgoing President Brent Finlay.

"Brent has aggressively pursued policy outcomes that deliver a more productive, competitive and prosperous sector. He has put the needs of farmers front and centre in arguing for bold reforms to trade and the economy.

"He also led the initial internal soul searching and subsequent ongoing process for the establishment of a new national agriculture sector representative organisation – Australian Farmers - to strengthen the voice of farmers in public policy development and the political debate.

"In all facets of the role as President, Brent leaves an enormous legacy of achievements and a strong vision that I will pursue with as much vigour and determination."

Also elected at the AGM yesterday was rice grower Les Gordon as NFF's new Vice President, and two new Board Directors - NSW grain grower and President of Grain Growers Limited, John Eastburn and NSW Farmers Executive Councillor and cattle producer, Tony Hegarty.