What is WAMIA?
The Western Australian Meat Industry Authority is a statutory authority established under part II of the Western Australian Meat Industry Act 1976, its functions are set out in Part III Section 16 of this Act.
Functions of the Authority:
1. The functions of the Authority are —
- to survey and keep under review the establishments and facilities available in the State for the sale of livestock and the slaughter of animals, and for the processing of carcases, for human consumption;
- to review the operation of abattoirs and processing works, including —
- inspecting, and where appropriate approving, the premises and facilities, and the conduct of operations there; and
- recording in respect of each establishment its effective capacity and actual performance;
- to implement schemes and practices for the branding of any carcases or meat, which may include practices to define or identify its —
- source;
- method of production;
- processing treatment;
- quality; or
- other characteristics;
- to assume responsibility for, or arrange for the management of —
- Midland Saleyard, or any other undertaking, establishment or facility in the meat industry that the Minister declares, by notice published in the Government Gazette, to be a replacement for Midland Saleyard (The Midland Saleyard closed in May 2010 and the Muchea Livestock Centre was gazzetted as its replacement on the 30th April 2010); and
- if the Minister so directs and subject to subsection (2), any other undertaking, establishment or facility in the meat industry;
- to encourage and promote improved efficiency throughout the meat industry;
- to advise the Minister generally, and in particular as to —
- methods of overcoming areas of conflicting interest within the meat and livestock industries;
- future requirements for saleyards, abattoirs and processing works, particularly in relation to the overall slaughtering capacity of the State and the location of those establishments; and
- any matter relating to the meat industry referred to it by the Minister, or any matter that it considers necessary;
- to carry out such other functions as are required to give effect to this Act generally, in relation to saleyards, abattoirs, processing works and other facilities, undertakings or activities in the meat industry.
2. The Minister may give the Authority a direction under subsection (1)(d)(ii) only if the Minister is satisfied that the meat industry will suffer substantial loss or substantial disruption unless the Authority assumes responsibility for, or arranges for the management of, the undertaking, establishment or facility concerned.
3. The Minister is to specify in a direction under subsection (1)(d)(ii) the period, not exceeding 2 years, during which the Authority is to assume responsibility for, or arrange for the management of, the undertaking, establishment or facility concerned.
4. The Minister may from time to time, by a direction given to the Authority, extend the period referred to in subsection (3) by a period not exceeding 12 months.
5. The Western Australian Meat Industry administers the “Western Australian Meat Industry Act 1976” and the Western Australian Meat Industry Regulations 1985.
For current versions of the Acts and Regulations please visit the State Law Publisher’s website:
WAMIA Staff
The activities of the Western Australian Meat Industry Authority are funded through charges at Muchea Livestock Centre, revenue from market information services, rentals on property managed by the Authority, and fees charged for the approval of meat processing establishments.
The Authority’s financial accounting system is subject to the Financial Administration and Audit Act and a Chief Executive Officer appointed under the Public Sector Management Act manages the Authority.
The executive staff of the Western Australian Meat Industry Authority as at 21 November 2018 are:
| Name | Position | |
|---|---|---|
| I-Lyn Loo | Acting Chief Executive Officer | I-Lyn.loo@wamia.wa.gov.au |
| Sidney Pinto | Chief Financial Officer | sidney.pinto@wamia.wa.gov.au |
| Judy Niblett | Executive Officer | judy.niblett@wamia.wa.gov.au |
WAMIA Board Members
The Authority Members as at 1st September 2022:
| Name of Member | Position Held | Term Expires |
|---|---|---|
| Sally O’Brien (Chairman) | Representing the Minister | 30/06/2024 |
| Mark Panizza | Representing Private Abattoirs | 30/06/2024 |
| Joanna Williams | Representing Wholesale & Retail Meat Industry | 30/06/2025 |
| To Be Confirmed | Representing Employees of the Industry | TBC |
| Belinda Lay | Representing Producers of Meat | 30/06/2024 |
| Kelly Pearce | Representing Producers of Meat | 30/06/2025 |
| Kim McDougall | Representing Private Abattoirs | 31/03/2023 |
| Mike Bowley | Representing Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development | N/A |
Ms O’Brien was reappointed as Chairman of the Board in June 2022 for a further two-year term. She was appointed to the board in 2011 and has previously held the Deputy Chairman’s role. Ms O’Brien operates a family-owned broad acre agricultural business located at Irwin (WA’s Midwest) producing grain, beef cattle, wool and prime lambs. Ms O’Brien has also held the positions of Vice Chairman (2010-2017) and Treasurer (1998-201) of the Mingenew Irwin Group. Ms O’Brien is a founding Board Member of MIGO (Mingenew Irwin Group Operations) a commercial division of the Mingenew Irwin Group.
Mr Panizza was reappointed to the Board for a further two-year term in June 2022. Mr Panizza is a CPA and represents the interests of private abattoirs. He has worked in various regional areas throughout the State as an accountant in public practice before taking up a position in the private sector. Mr Panizza is currently a Director and CEO of Dardanup Butchering Company. He is the Chairman of the Australian Meat Industry Association’s Western Australian Processor Council and is the State’s representative to that organisation’s national body, the National Processor Council.
Joanna Williams (Deputy Chair)
Ms Williams was reappointed to the Board for a further three-year term in June 2022. She was also appointed to the position of Deputy Chair and continues as a representative representing the Wholesale & Retail Meat Industry. Ms Williams is a highly accomplished operations, sales and marketing professional with over 15 years of experience within the consumer goods (FMCG) industry and has worked extensively across both Australian domestic and international markets. She has considerable business and entrepreneurial experience through her partnerships within the wholesale and retail industries, having successfully negotiated supply agreements with all the major multiples in Australia. Ms Williams management roles with Craig Mostyn Group, Cannon Foods and Woolworths have provided her a comprehensive understanding of supply chain management within an accomplished integrated meat processing model. Ms Williams also has experience in continuous improvement and occupational safety and health.
Ms Lay was reappointed to the Board for a further two-year term in June 2022, as a representative of producers of meat. Ms Lay is currently a business partner at Coolindown Farms, a family-owned mixed sheep and grain enterprise near Esperance. She is the Co-Founder and current secretary of Esperance Zone Innovation (EZI) Group Inc and has worked in the Agricultural Industry since 1994. Ms Lay holds a double Diploma in Business Studies and Agriculture as well as completing the full Australian Institute of Company Directors Course in 2020. In 2019 Ms Lay won the WA Agrifutures Rural Women’s Award for her pilot project looking at GPS tracking of lambing ewes for animal welfare and production outcomes.
Dr Kelly Pearce was reappointed to the Board for an additional three-year term in May 2022, representing the producers of meat. She previously held the position of Deputy Chair until May 2022. Dr Pearce is a grain and prime lamb producer based in Yealering. She has an eighteen-year career in Agricultural Research and continues to coordinate several regional science and innovation projects. Dr Pearce is currently Acting Executive Officer of The Facey Group based at Wickepin.
Dr Pearce is also a Director of the Biosecurity Council of WA, Director of the Grower Group Alliance (WA), a Committee Member of the Gene Technology Technical Advisory Committee, and a member of the WA Sheep & Goat Industry Funding Scheme Management Committee. Dr Pearce is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a 2012 Nuffield Scholar.
Mr McDougall was reappointed to the Western Australian Meat Industry Authority Board as the representative for Private Abattoirs for a further three-year term in April 2020. His career has spanned in excess of 30 years in the Western Australian livestock industry principally dealing with producers in the marketing of both cattle and sheep. Mr McDougall has represented the agribusiness agency sector at “WALSA” (Western Australian Livestock Salesmen’s Association) as well as in the role of a management committee member of “Livestock Logistics WA”. Mr McDougall until recently was the General Manager for Agriculture, of the Forrest families “Harvest Road Group”, which includes the procurement strategy for Harvey Beef and the management of the vast pastoral properties held by Forrest family. Mr McDougall has represented industry on the Red Meat Advisory Councils (RMAC) “Sustainability Steering Group” a national group that provides the overarching vision for Australia’s beef and cattle industry. Mr McDougall was awarded a scholarship sponsored by (AMPC) Australian Meat Processors Corporation to participate in the prestigious Australian Rural Leadership Program thus receiving a Fellowship and a Graduate Certificate in Rural Leadership from James Cook University. Additionally, Mr McDougall holds an advanced diploma in Leadership and Management from the University of Western Australia.
Bowley was appointed to the Board as the delegate of the Director General of Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development in April 2022.
Bowley and his family moved to WA and settled in Geraldton the late 1990’s from South Australia and has over 35 years working in Rural Services across regional Australia and has developed hands on experience in the livestock supply and value chains through working with producers and processors. As sale yards form an important part of the supply chain, undertaking innovative practice and training of staff has been a core focus to drive value in the agribusiness sector. Commencing as a trainee and moving through the ranks to become Manager of Elders branches before moving into Executive management, has provided him with a rounded industry knowledge.
Bowley’sknowledge and skills transitioned him into the WA Public Sector and was appointed to the position of Regional Director of the Department of Agriculture & Food, at a time when the MidWestregion had experienced the two worst droughts in WA’s history. Mike was charged with developing a long-term strategy for the preparedness and management of dry seasons by the former Agriculture Minister the late Kim Chance. Leading a team of scientists and development officers, they created the North East Agricultural Region strategy which assisted in formulating State and National Drought Policy.
Bowley’s commitment to the MidWest Region now sees him working as the Director of Regional Development with the MidWest Development Commission, focusing on delivering economic improvements for a range of key drivers including Agribusiness, Tourism, Infrastructure, Resources and Energy and of course the promotion of the wonderful lifestyle offered within WA regional areas.
Bowley is also the Chair of the MidWest Sports Federation where his goal is to create an ongoing legacy of building the capacity of the MidWest sport and recreation community through leadership and commitment. Bowley became a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors in 2011 and has a Diploma of Public Safety (Biosecurity Response Management).
For further information contact WAMIA.
The Western Australian Meat Industry Authority is a statutory authority established under part II of the Western Australian Meat Industry Act 1976, its functions are set out in Part III Section 16 of this Act.
Functions of the Authority:
1. The functions of the Authority are —
- to survey and keep under review the establishments and facilities available in the State for the sale of livestock and the slaughter of animals, and for the processing of carcases, for human consumption;
- to review the operation of abattoirs and processing works, including —
- inspecting, and where appropriate approving, the premises and facilities, and the conduct of operations there; and
- recording in respect of each establishment its effective capacity and actual performance;
- to implement schemes and practices for the branding of any carcases or meat, which may include practices to define or identify its —
- source;
- method of production;
- processing treatment;
- quality; or
- other characteristics;
- to assume responsibility for, or arrange for the management of —
- Midland Saleyard, or any other undertaking, establishment or facility in the meat industry that the Minister declares, by notice published in the Government Gazette, to be a replacement for Midland Saleyard (The Midland Saleyard closed in May 2010 and the Muchea Livestock Centre was gazzetted as its replacement on the 30th April 2010); and
- if the Minister so directs and subject to subsection (2), any other undertaking, establishment or facility in the meat industry;
- to encourage and promote improved efficiency throughout the meat industry;
- to advise the Minister generally, and in particular as to —
- methods of overcoming areas of conflicting interest within the meat and livestock industries;
- future requirements for saleyards, abattoirs and processing works, particularly in relation to the overall slaughtering capacity of the State and the location of those establishments; and
- any matter relating to the meat industry referred to it by the Minister, or any matter that it considers necessary;
- to carry out such other functions as are required to give effect to this Act generally, in relation to saleyards, abattoirs, processing works and other facilities, undertakings or activities in the meat industry.
2. The Minister may give the Authority a direction under subsection (1)(d)(ii) only if the Minister is satisfied that the meat industry will suffer substantial loss or substantial disruption unless the Authority assumes responsibility for, or arranges for the management of, the undertaking, establishment or facility concerned.
3. The Minister is to specify in a direction under subsection (1)(d)(ii) the period, not exceeding 2 years, during which the Authority is to assume responsibility for, or arrange for the management of, the undertaking, establishment or facility concerned.
4. The Minister may from time to time, by a direction given to the Authority, extend the period referred to in subsection (3) by a period not exceeding 12 months.
5. The Western Australian Meat Industry administers the “Western Australian Meat Industry Act 1976” and the Western Australian Meat Industry Regulations 1985.
For current versions of the Acts and Regulations please visit the State Law Publisher’s website:
The activities of the Western Australian Meat Industry Authority are funded through charges at Muchea Livestock Centre , revenue from market information services, rentals on property managed by the Authority, and fees charged for the approval of meat processing establishments.
The Authority’s financial accounting system is subject to the Financial Administration and Audit Act and a Chief Executive Officer appointed under the Public Sector Management Act manages the Authority.
The executive staff of the Western Australian Meat Industry Authority as at 21 November 2018 are:
| Name | Position | |
|---|---|---|
| I-Lyn Loo | Acting Chief Executive Officer | I-Lyn.loo@wamia.wa.gov.au |
| Sidney Pinto | Chief Financial Officer | sidney.pinto@wamia.wa.gov.au |
| Judy Niblett | Executive Officer | judy.niblett@wamia.wa.gov.au |
The Authority Members as at 1st September 2022:
| Position Held | Term Expires | |
|---|---|---|
| Sally O’Brien (Chairman) | Representing the Minister | 30/06/2024 |
| Mark Panizza | Representing Private Abattoirs | 30/06/2024 |
| Joanna Williams | Representing Wholesale & Retail Meat Industry | 30/06/2025 |
| To Be Confirmed | Representing Employees of the Industry | TBC |
| Belinda Lay | Representing Producers of Meat | 30/06/2024 |
| Kelly Pearce | Representing Producers of Meat | 30/06/2025 |
| Kim McDougall | Representing Private Abattoirs | 31/03/2020 |
| Mike Bowley | Representing Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development | N/A |
Ms O’Brien was reappointed as Chairman of the Board in June 2022 for a further two-year term. She was appointed to the board in 2011 and has previously held the Deputy Chairman’s role. Ms O’Brien operates a family-owned broad acre agricultural business located at Irwin (WA’s Midwest) producing grain, beef cattle, wool and prime lambs. Ms O’Brien has also held the positions of Vice Chairman (2010-2017) and Treasurer (1998-201) of the Mingenew Irwin Group. Ms O’Brien is a founding Board Member of MIGO (Mingenew Irwin Group Operations) a commercial division of the Mingenew Irwin Group
Mr Panizza was reappointed to the Board for a further two-year term in June 2022. Mr Panizza is a CPA and represents the interests of private abattoirs. He has worked in various regional areas throughout the State as an accountant in public practice before taking up a position in the private sector. Mr Panizza is currently a Director and CEO of Dardanup Butchering Company. He is the Chairman of the Australian Meat Industry Association’s Western Australian Processor Council and is the State’s representative to that organisation’s national body, the National Processor Council.
Joanna Williams (Deputy Chair)
Ms Williams was reappointed to the Board for a further three-year term in June 2022. She was also appointed to the position of Deputy Chair and continues as a representative representing the Wholesale & Retail Meat Industry. Ms Williams is a highly accomplished operations, sales and marketing professional with over 15 years of experience within the consumer goods (FMCG) industry and has worked extensively across both Australian domestic and international markets. She has considerable business and entrepreneurial experience through her partnerships within the wholesale and retail industries, having successfully negotiated supply agreements with all the major multiples in Australia. Ms Williams management roles with Craig Mostyn Group, Cannon Foods and Woolworths have provided her a comprehensive understanding of supply chain management within an accomplished integrated meat processing model. Ms Williams also has experience in continuous improvement and occupational safety and health.
Ms Lay was reappointed to the Board for a further two-year term in June 2022, as a representative of producers of meat. Ms Lay is currently a business partner at Coolindown Farms, a family-owned mixed sheep and grain enterprise near Esperance. She is the Co-Founder and current secretary of Esperance Zone Innovation (EZI) Group Inc and has worked in the Agricultural Industry since 1994. Ms Lay holds a double Diploma in Business Studies and Agriculture as well as completing the full Australian Institute of Company Directors Course in 2020. In 2019 Ms Lay won the WA Agrifutures Rural Women’s Award for her pilot project looking at GPS tracking of lambing ewes for animal welfare and production outcomes.
Dr Kelly Pearce was reappointed to the Board for an additional three-year term in May 2022, representing the producers of meat. She previously held the position of Deputy Chair until May 2022. Dr Pearce is a grain and prime lamb producer based in Yealering. She has an eighteen-year career in Agricultural Research and continues to coordinate several regional science and innovation projects. Dr Pearce is currently Acting Executive Officer of The Facey Group based at Wickepin.
Dr Pearce is also a Director of the Biosecurity Council of WA, Director of the Grower Group Alliance (WA), a Committee Member of the Gene Technology Technical Advisory Committee, and a member of the WA Sheep & Goat Industry Funding Scheme Management Committee. Dr Pearce is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a 2012 Nuffield Scholar.
Mr McDougall was reappointed to the Western Australian Meat Industry Authority Board as the representative for Private Abattoirs for a further three-year term in April 2020. His career has spanned in excess of 30 years in the Western Australian livestock industry principally dealing with producers in the marketing of both cattle and sheep. Mr McDougall has represented the agribusiness agency sector at “WALSA” (Western Australian Livestock Salesmen’s Association) as well as in the role of a management committee member of “Livestock Logistics WA”. Mr McDougall until recently was the General Manager for Agriculture, of the Forrest families “Harvest Road Group”, which includes the procurement strategy for Harvey Beef and the management of the vast pastoral properties held by Forrest family. Mr McDougall has represented industry on the Red Meat Advisory Councils (RMAC) “Sustainability Steering Group” a national group that provides the overarching vision for Australia’s beef and cattle industry. Mr McDougall was awarded a scholarship sponsored by (AMPC) Australian Meat Processors Corporation to participate in the prestigious Australian Rural Leadership Program thus receiving a Fellowship and a Graduate Certificate in Rural Leadership from James Cook University. Additionally, Mr McDougall holds an advanced diploma in Leadership and Management from the University of Western Australia.
Bowley was appointed to the Board as the delegate of the Director General of Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development in April 2022.
Bowley and his family moved to WA and settled in Geraldton the late 1990’s from South Australia and has over 35 years working in Rural Services across regional Australia and has developed hands on experience in the livestock supply and value chains through working with producers and processors. As sale yards form an important part of the supply chain, undertaking innovative practice and training of staff has been a core focus to drive value in the agribusiness sector. Commencing as a trainee and moving through the ranks to become Manager of Elders branches before moving into Executive management, has provided him with a rounded industry knowledge.
Bowley’sknowledge and skills transitioned him into the WA Public Sector and was appointed to the position of Regional Director of the Department of Agriculture & Food, at a time when the MidWest region had experienced the two worst droughts in WA’s history. Mike was charged with developing a long-term strategy for the preparedness and management of dry seasons by the former Agriculture Minister the late Kim Chance. Leading a team of scientists and development officers, they created the North East Agricultural Region strategy which assisted in formulating State and National Drought Policy.
Bowley’s commitment to the MidWest Region now sees him working as the Director of Regional Development with the MidWest Development Commission, focusing on delivering economic improvements for a range of key drivers including Agribusiness, Tourism, Infrastructure, Resources and Energy and of course the promotion of the wonderful lifestyle offered within WA regional areas.
Bowley is also the Chair of the MidWest Sports Federation where his goal is to create an ongoing legacy of building the capacity of the MidWest sport and recreation community through leadership and commitment. Bowley became a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors in 2011 and has a Diploma of Public Safety (Biosecurity Response Management).
For further information contact WAMIA.
