QUEENSLAND wool growers are being urged to make their votes count at Australian Wool Innovation's annual general meeting to help set the future direction of their wool industry.
AgForce Sheep and Wool director Jim McKenzie said it was imperative all wool growers had their say on each of the resolutions by the November 15 deadline.
AWI is the industry's research, development and marketing body and is funded by woolgrower levies. It received $88 million in revenue last financial year.
“The AWI board has a powerful role to play in deciding where our industry heads into the future," Mr McKenzie said.
"Queensland's sheep and wool industry has started to rebuild in recent years, so it's even more important we make our voices heard at the national level by voting on the size and make-up of the AWI board.
"Given the recent controversies involving AWI, it is absolutely critical that Queensland wool growers cast their vote this year rather than providing the meeting chair with their proxy.
"In recent years, less than 20 per cent of the wool industry has voted on AWI resolutions so we'd strongly encourage greater engagement from wool growers this time around.
"It's time for wool growers to stand up and change things for the betterment of the industry."
Mr McKenzie said AgForce's view was that the number of members on the board should stay unchanged at seven.
"Wool growers can vote for the candidate they want or vote against those they do not want, but we strongly advise against abstaining from voting as it is your only chance to influence the direction of AWI into the future," he said.
All wool growers eligible to vote on the direction of AWI should have received a shareholder information pack by mail and can vote online by logging on to AWI's Share Registry.
If the AWI voting ballot causes confusion, wool growers can call Link Market Services on 1800 113 373 for assistance.
