Tony Mahar to leave NFF for commissioner role

National Farmers Federation (NFF) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Tony Mahar has resigned from the role to become the new Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner (AEIC).

As Commissioner, Mr Mahar will work as an intermediary between farming and regional communities, industry and government as renewables are rolled out across the country, for an initial term of three years.

He takes on the independent role, appointed by the Australian Government, reporting to the Minister for Climate and Energy, Chris Bowen, after 10 years with the NFF, the past eight as CEO.

Mr Mahar has also served as a Trustee of Australian Farmers’ Fighting Fund, a Board Member of Australian Made Campaign Limited and as Past Director, Sustainable Development, for the Australian Food and Grocery Council. 

Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen said the new Commissioner was very well placed to navigate the challenges ahead.

“Mr Mahar has great experience working with business, government, farmers and farming communities and has the respect of both landholders and the energy industry,” Minster Bowen said. 

The appointment comes at a time when the NFF and Federal Government are at loggerheads over a number of issues, including the banning of the live export of sheep and the biosecurity tax.

In May Mr Mahar, alongside other industry leaders, staged a walkout of then Ag Minister Murray Watt's budget speech to express their fury about government decisions they referred to as "anti-farming". 

Earlier this month, the NFF led a rally in Canberra, protesting about the Federal Government not listening to farmers nor considering their needs.

John Sheldon had been serving as the interim Commissioner during the recruitment process, following the retirement of former Commissioner Andrew Dyer earlier this year.

The NFF board will begin the process of recruiting a new CEO immediately, with Mr Mahar formally concluding his role in December 2024.