Australia’s former energy minister joins Woodside board

Australian energy company Woodside has appointed Ian Macfarlane as a non-executive director effective November 14, 2016.

Macfarlane joins Woodside as an independent director after his tenure as Australia’s longest serving Federal Resources and Energy Minister and the Liberal–National Coalition’s longest serving Federal Industry and Innovation Minister with over 14 years of experience in both Cabinet and shadow ministerial positions.

Woodside Chairman, Michael Chaney, said: “Macfarlane is held in high regard in the Australian resources industry and brings a wealth of relevant experience to the Woodside Board.”

In February 2016, Macfarlane announced his retirement from Australian politics. He has served as a Cabinet Minister covering the business portfolios with a focus on Australia’s resources, energy, agribusiness, science and innovation, and manufacturing and industry sectors.

Before entering politics, he was the President of the Queensland Graingrowers Association from 1991 to 1998 and President of the Grains Council of  Australia from 1994 to 1996.

Macfarlane has recently been appointed the Chief Executive of the Queensland Resources Council. He is also the Chairman of the Innovative Manufacturing Co-operative Research Centre and a member of the Toowoomba Community Advisory Committee of the University of Queensland Rural Clinical School.