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The Australian Packaging Covenant (APC) will announce a new board structure and five-year-plan by the end of 2016.

The “enhanced Covenant”, according to new CEO Trish Hyde, will be officially launched in January 2017.

“We will see more collaborative, targeted approaches to minimising the environmental impacts of packaging, she said.

“We are also changing the way we are governed and operate, so that we are more accountable, transparent and relevant – including becoming a company regulated by ASIC and the ACNC, and adopting a new board structure with industry and independent directors to provide stewardship.”

Trish-Hyde_headshot-11_A2DDF4D0-FFA5-11E5-8AA706B2CCB88DF31 Trish Hyde

In a letter to the APC, Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt confirmed ongoing government support for the Covenant.

He said the Covenant was “a central tool in addressing the environmental impacts of consumer packaging”.

Hunt is currently working with ministers on a joint statement about the scope and goals of the agreement.

In collaboration with industry and jurisdictions, the Covenant will draw on these recommendations for its five-year strategic plan.

Hyde said compliance conditions and reporting requirements would remain unchanged, and signatories should budget for their annual contribution in the coming financial year.

Food & Drink Business

As the Australian functional beverage market continues to grow, emerging companies are still finding places to slot in. Alcohol recovery drink, Dodge, hit stores in mid-2022, and has taken off across the Asia-Pacific region with its science-backed formula and striking branding. Food & Drink Business spoke with co-founder, Braeden Leahy, about the product and plans for the future.

The former deputy chief of staff to the federal communications minister, Amanda Watson, has been appointed CEO of the Brewers Association of Australia (BAA).  Watson starts in the role on 14 July and replaces John Preston, who had been in the role for five years.

The Victorian government has invested $160,000 to support the sustainability and profitability of the state’s wine industry, matched by $240,000 from Wine Australia. The funds will help Wine Victoria to provide the wine industry with the knowledge, tools and resources needed to improve practices and outcomes.