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The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority announced the appointment of its new President, Dr. Ian Poiner – who until now headed another organization, which was at the center of a governance crisis that affected the authority.
Key points:
- Dr. Ian Poiner is currently President of the Reef and Rainforest Research Center (RRRC).
- Issues raised about the decision to appoint him given the problems associated with the RRRC and the Marine Park Authority
- Dr. Poiner has been the CEO of the Australian Institute of Ocean Sciences and has conducted scientific research on a number of relevant topics.
The authority recently lost a board member after the CBA revealed that it had a number of potential conflicts of interest, including with the Reef and Rainforest Research Center (RRRC).
Dr. Poiner comes directly from his position as Chair of the RRRC Board of Directors.
RRRC is a company that administers funds for research and environmental protection, and a large portion of these funds come from the Great Barrier Reef Marine Authority.
Dr. Poiner had a distinguished career, chairing the Integrated Marine Observation System, and was President and CEO of the Australian Institute of Ocean Sciences.
He has also conducted scientific research on a number of relevant topics, including tropical marine ecology.
In a statement, Federal Environment Minister Melissa Price welcomed Dr. Poiner, saying that he "would contribute significantly to the health and resilience of the reef".
However, questions were raised about the government's decision to appoint him, given the problems associated with the RRRC and the GBRMPA (Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority).
The nomination was first announced in a press release by the RRRC Sunday afternoon, before a planned ministerial announcement was made.
In a few hours, the release was "officially canceled until further notice".
Issues related to the RRRC and the Marine Park Authority
This news comes just weeks after the loss of one of the Great Marine Reef Marine Park Board of Directors members, Margie McKenzie, following the ABC, revealing that it was a bad thing. she had serious potential conflicts of interest that had not been properly declared.
The position of her husband, Colonel McKenzie, on the Board of the CRRR, which has millions of dollars in funding from the coral-eating coral-cutting authority, is part of this list of potential conflicts of interest.
Col and Margie McKenzie have personally benefited from this funding, as owners of a subcontracted business to carry out the slaughter.
The ABC also revealed that CRR had modified the scientific assessment of its starfish disposal program in relation to the direct requests of the author of the report, before forwarding it to the government.
There is nothing to indicate that Dr. Poiner was aware of the amendment to the report.
The Marine Park Authority made it clear that the appointment of the new Chair was part of a program to strengthen the governance of the organization, which was reflected in the information published during the advertisement for the position.
"The new governance model requires the development of a comprehensive board of directors charter covering issues such as board values, operating protocols, conflict management. interests and a new process for monitoring performance, "he said.
Ariane Wilkinson, a lawyer with Environmental Justice Australia, said the appointment raised questions and called for an inquiry into the results of the CRRR.
"There are serious questions about the management of the crown coral starfish program by the CRR, including on the appropriate use of millions of taxpayer dollars and transparency with GBRMPA on the The impact of the program "on the CRR", she said.
"The statutory function of the Authority is to conduct and supervise research and investigations into the problems of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
"To properly fulfill its role, GBRMPA should require an independent review of the RRRC's performance.
"In order to avoid any real or alleged conflict of interest, Dr. Poiner, the new chairman of the authority, must prohibit from participating in any deliberations on the CRR."
"Great challenges for the Great Barrier Reef"
In its initial press release, the CRRR described Dr. Poiner's new role as "difficult".
A quote attributed to RRRC Executive Director Sheriden Morris said: "The Great Barrier Reef faces great challenges, such as climate change, poor water quality and other human impacts. .
"Ian will bring his deep understanding of the reef and the communities that depend on it to meet these challenges. [sic]. "
Dr. Poiner did not answer questions about the appointment before publication.
But in response to previous questions, Dr. Poiner told ABC that he thought he had fully discharged his duties as Chair of the CRRR Board of Directors and that all potential conflicts of interest had been managed in accordance with the policy of the organization.
"RRRC adheres to its policy and procedures regarding conflicts of interest," he said. "Once the financial interest has been declared, RRRC's conflict of interest policy and procedures are enforced."
Topics:
Great Barrier Reef,
oceans and reefs,
environment,
federal government,
Government and politics,
Cairns-4870,
qld,
Townsville-4810,
Australia
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