Tony Mahar quits NFF to become new Energy Infrastructure Commissioner

National Farmers’ Federation chief Tony Mahar will become the new middle man between the renewables industry, farmers, the community and the federal government.

National Farmers’ Federation boss Tony Mahar has quit to become Australia’s next Energy Infrastructure Commissioner.

Mr Mahar will leave the NFF after more than eight years in the role to replace interim Commissioner John Sheldon. Mr Sheldon took over in March following the retirement of inaugural appointee Andrew Dyer, who spent almost nine years in the role.

Mr Mahar’s appointment was announced by the federal government and confirmed by the NFF on Monday.

The AEIC is an independent role appointed by the federal government that reports to the Minister for Climate Change and Energy, currently Chris Bowen, “to receive and refer complaints from concerned community residents about wind farms, large-scale solar farms, energy storage facilities and new transmission projects, as well as promote best practices for industry government to adopt in regard to the planning and operation of these projects,” according to its dedicated website.

National Farmers' Federation chief executive Tony Mahar has quit the organisation to become a middleman between renewable energy companies, the community and the federal government. Picture: Lukas Coch

The position was originally titled as the National Wind Farm Commissioner when it was established in October 2015 as an independent voice to the federal government reporting on the impact of wind turbines to the environment and human health.

It was expanded three years later to include large-scale solar farms and energy storage facilities and underwent another redesign in 2021 when the federal government announced the remit would be expanded to focus on the rollout of major new energy transmission projects, and was rebadged as the Energy Infrastructure Commissioner.

The job was advertised earlier this year stating, “the Commissioner’s role directly contributes to the practical efficacy and social sustainability of Australia’s energy transition, by resolving concerns at a project level and advocating for social licence and community benefits.

“The position will also identify best practices for industry and government and improving information access and transparency. Key responsibilities of the role include promoting transparency, advocating best practices in renewable energy projects, and delivering formal reports to government bodies,” the advertisement said.

Andrew Dyer was the Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner was the inaugural Commissioner having been appointed in November 2015. Picture: Alex Coppel

Mr Dyer was appointed by former Prime Minister Tony Abbott in a part-time capacity on an annual salary of $205,000, which attracted criticism at the time.

Mr Mahar’s appointment comes amid a tense relationship between the NFF and the federal government over its handling of a number of key agriculture policies, including the planned phase-out of live sheep exports in May 2028.

In May, members of the National Farmers’ Federation, including Mr Mahar, staged a walkout of a post-budget breakfast while a speech was being delivered by then Agriculture Minister Murray Watt. Shortly after, the NFF Members Council carried a vote of no confidence in the Albanese government “in the interests of Australian agriculture”.

Earlier this month, the NFF endorsed its first farmer protest in almost 40 years with hundreds of farmers gathering at Parliament House in Canberra to express their frustration at the federal government’s handling of live sheep exports, Murray Darling Basin water buybacks, a mooted farmer levy for biosecurity and changes to superannuation.

The NFF has begun a recruitment process to fill the vacated chief executive role.