Primary industry chief straddles class

by Robert Dark On entering the offices of the Queensland Resources Council, I needed to resist the urge to take off my shoes. Chief executive Ian Macfarlane answered the door. The rest of the staff were busy. He’s a farmer’s boy with a characteristically hospitable hand shake and a smile. Farmers take their shoes off before entering the house so they leave what’s in the paddock, in the paddock. It is also a sign of respect, somewhere between tipping your hat and saluting. Ian was a politician. He represented the Toowoomba-based seat of Groom for the Liberal Party and held cabinet positions on and off during the halcyon years from 1998 through to the leadership turmoil of the mid 2010s. His political career ended with a whimper when he backed the wrong contender for leader, was wrong-footed on tactics and fell on is sword. Winner of Exceptional Woman in Resources Award, Maryann Wipaki, and QRC Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane Learning to take the knocks was part of farm life he said. “Work hard, accept disappointment and be resilient, persistent and pragmatic.” “The demands on people in public life are unrealistic, constant and driven by social and traditional media. “I was lucky to leave politics before it took complete hold. I don’t have a Facebook, Instagram or Twitter account, though I’m on LinkedIn for work purposes, and remain amazed how narcissistic some of its users are. “I’ve been a farmer for more of my life than everything else and I know the hardship and despair farmers face behind the romanticised image we see in the media. That said, it’s a great lifestyle for those who are successful and there’s plenty of them.” Ian has a reputation for being fierce in his advocacy and loyalties and being able to straddle the chasm between owners and miners. There have been several fatal incidents on mines in recent years being investigated by the Mines Inspectorate. The most recent was early Sunday when a worker was fatally injured while on duty overnight at Curragh coal mine near Blackwater. Over his tenure, he’s worked with owners, the State Government and the feisty miners’ union, the CFMEU, for outcomes to materially improve safety. The ‘why and what’ of the question matters more than the ‘who’ he said. “I learnt from (former Queensland Premier) Wayne Goss the importance of working with all sides of politics and that was something that exemplified my time in politics.” “My relationship with the Labor Party was open and balanced. Martin Ferguson, Gary Gray and I always worked together to put the interests of the industry first. “The CFMEU are a big part of the Queensland resources sector and have a role in its future.” Before politics Ian was head of the Queensland Graingrowers Association. His grassroots style and upfront manner is not what you’d expect from the person whose current industry association has an $80 billion plus annual turnover. Whether you’re an owner, miner, tradie, or schoolkid aspiring for a career, what you see in Ian Macfarlane, is what you’ll get. Like it or not. It was much like mining, he said. “What weighs heavily is ensuring the people who rely on the industry to earn a living and pay their mortgages get a fair go and a future. “They are hard workers who don’t deserve to have their careers determined by political agendas. “(This year the challenges have been) juggling all the issues around COVID and countering the constant lies and exaggeration from activists.” Lesson. When you meet Ian Macfarlane looking for a solution, ask the right questions … and leave your shoes at the door.

Primary industry chief straddles class

Industry Queensland

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