The Australian Hemp Council (AHC) has introduced a change in management following the resignation of Tim Schmidt, a long-time business advocate.
Schmidt, who led the Council by way of a interval of serious business improvement, will stay energetic within the sector in a supporting capability, the AHC mentioned. He served as president of the AHC since its formation in 2020.
Matthew Lariba, Secretary of the Victorian Hemp Affiliation and Director of Vic Hemp, was named interim president.
Tasmania holding out
In the meantime, the AHC continues to function with out participation from the Tasmanian Hemp Affiliation (THA), which resigned its membership in December 2024 following a dispute over governance and decision-making inside the Council.
THA President Andi Lucas mentioned this week that her group has not rejoined the AHC and that issues raised on the time of withdrawal stay unresolved.
“We’ll reassess at our AGM in September. However proper now, all of the issues we held stay, even with Schmidt resigning,” Lucas instructed HempToday.
The Tasmanian group’s departure adopted a contested vote on the AHC’s October 2024 normal assembly, throughout which constitutional adjustments had been permitted regardless of THA’s request for a delay. The THA cited an absence of session with state members and issues over monetary governance, together with contracts signed with out full settlement from all stakeholders.
Lucas mentioned the THA stays open to rejoining the AHC if the Council demonstrates improved governance, transparency, and gives assurances relating to members’ monetary publicity.
Schmidt’s management
Established in 2020, the AHC serves because the nationwide peak physique for Australia’s hemp business, coordinating advocacy and business improvement efforts throughout state and territory organizations.
Underneath Schmidt’s management, the Council performed a central position in unifying Australia’s fragmented hemp sector, together with the achievement of a federal Senate Inquiry into industrial hemp, and fostering the creation of hemp associations throughout each state and territory. Throughout this era, nationwide hemp cultivation greater than doubled — from 1,493 hectares in 2022–23 to over 3,200 hectares in 2023–24 — whereas funding within the fiber business surged. Schmidt additionally steered the event of key business sources, together with a Greatest Administration Practices Information, an business hole evaluation, and a nationwide analysis and improvement strategic plan aimed toward guiding future funding.
Lariba’s background is in agricultural know-how and environmental monitoring. He’ll serve till the position is completely stuffed and in the course of the AHC’s annual normal assembly scheduled for later within the yr as interim president whereas the Council prepares for its subsequent stage of progress.
