Meet the SSG: Patrick Hutchinson

With over 25 years of experience in industry leadership, advocacy, global trade and policy, Patrick Hutchinson is ready to tackle his new role as Chair of the Australian Beef Sustainability Framework (ABSF) Steering Group.

In this article, he shares his thoughts on sustainability, why he took on the role, and his vision for the Framework’s future.

Why did you want to become Chair of the ABSF Steering Group?

It was almost divine intervention. I had just stepped down from my previous role and two weeks later the role for Chair was advertised.

Having worked on quality issues from the 90s to 2000s, and integrity and traceability in the 2010s, I believe sustainability is the next item that is in the spotlight. There are some big sustainability considerations that underpin our ability to put product into the market.

This role allows me to put all of my experience together, engage throughout the entire supply change and drive meaningful outcomes.

What does sustainability in the red meat industry mean to you?

A sustainable industry ensures it can operate profitably, distribute value fairly and maintain legitimate, ongoing operations.

We’ve got 53 indicators in the Australian Beef Sustainability Framework which help to break down what contributes to sustainability, and they are all interconnected. It’s about much more than just ground cover and trees.

What will you focus on as you begin your term as Chair?

Having the framework broken down into all indicators is a great starting point for compartmentalising such a great resource, a lot of work has been done to get it to this point, but there is more to do and to celebrate.

If we are able to drill the document down further, breaking it into a more digestible format is what is going to help producers to have a complete understanding of the entire document and how each of those indicators connects together. 

What are you setting out to achieve in your role as Chair?

I am not one to shield away from tackling controversial issues. Sometimes addressing those challenges – even when it seems difficult in the moment – can often be the best thing for industry.

In this role, I will draw on all of my experience facing complex issues and use it to strengthen industry’s position. That includes leveraging records of research to provide foresight and direction for the future.

Where do you want to see the framework progress in four years?

I want the ABSF to be recognised as the world’s leading program for communicating sustainability credentials for the Australian beef industry.

I also hope the Framework will be able to answer the tough questions posed by regulators, customers and consumers – ensuring that while we understand the required outcomes, it’s the industry itself that determines how to meet them.