Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited (Hort Innovation) is the industry services body for the Australian horticultural industries, as declared by the Assistant Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry under the Primary Industries Levies and Charges Disbursement Act 2024 (Cth) (Disbursement Act).

Hort Innovation is responsible for managing and investing the levy funds received from levy payers for the benefit of 37 horticultural commodities, and matching eligible research and development activities with Australian Government contributions, for the benefit of Australian horticultural industries and the Australian community. As such, Hort Innovation partners with the Australian Government to deliver research, development, trade and marketing services to horticultural levy payers.

Hort Innovation is not an industry representative body and does not set or execute policy on behalf of horticultural industries, nor participate in or fund any agri-political activities.

Hort Innovation invests in research and development, trade and marketing to increase the productivity, farm gate profitability and global competitiveness of Australian horticultural industries. The Hort Innovation Board sets the strategic direction of the company, within the requirements of Hort Innovation’s Constitution, the Statutory Funding Agreement, Primary Industries Levies and Charges Disbursement Act 2024 (Cth) (Disbursement Act) and the Primary Industries Levies and Charges Disbursement Rules 2024 (Cth) (Disbursement Rules).

The Hort Innovation Board and management are committed to the implementation of corporate governance measures that enhance performance and ensure compliance by Hort Innovation with expectations of accountability required by all applicable legislation, regulations, and guidelines as required by the Australian Government.

The Hort Innovation Board has established four Board subcommittees that act to guide the company.

The Investment Committee (IC) assists the Board by advising about investment strategy, performance and risk. They are also tasked with reviewing high-value proposals before they are tendered or contracted.

The Audit & Risk Committee (ARC) is integral to Hort Innovation’s proactive risk management strategy, meeting quarterly to enhance and ensure the integrity of our financial and non-financial risk management frameworks and systems.

The People & Performance Committee (PPC) provides strategic advice and assistance for the Hort Innovation Executive team regarding Hort Innovation’s people.

The Director Nomination Committee (DNC) undertakes the process of candidate nominations for the Hort Innovation Board, in accordance with the Constitution.

These committees assist the Board to implement, monitor and enforce appropriate corporate governance throughout the company.

The Hort Innovation Board delegates responsibility for the management of the company to the Chief Executive Officer.