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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/oct/24/wool-boss-apologises-for-secretly-watching-focus-group-through-one-way-mirror
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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| Wool boss apologises for secretly watching focus group through one-way mirror | Wool boss apologises for secretly watching focus group through one-way mirror |
| (3 months later) | |
| Senate committee examines claims of toxic culture inside wool industry amid calls for Wal Merriman’s resignation | |
| Australian Associated Press | |
| Tue 24 Oct 2017 02.22 BST | |
| Last modified on Tue 24 Oct 2017 02.23 BST | |
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| The head of the Australian wool industry has apologised for secretly viewing a focus group of stud breeders through a one-way mirror. | The head of the Australian wool industry has apologised for secretly viewing a focus group of stud breeders through a one-way mirror. |
| The Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) chairman, Wal Merriman, told a Senate committee in Canberra the infamous “man-in-the-mirror” incident did not meet best practice or the sensibilities of wool growers. | The Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) chairman, Wal Merriman, told a Senate committee in Canberra the infamous “man-in-the-mirror” incident did not meet best practice or the sensibilities of wool growers. |
| It’s fair to say AWI has had a difficult few months, mostly caused by me. | It’s fair to say AWI has had a difficult few months, mostly caused by me. |
| “Never before have meetings been held in a room with a one-way mirror,” Merriman said in his opening statement on Tuesday. “This was all very strange to me when I went to observe the process. | “Never before have meetings been held in a room with a one-way mirror,” Merriman said in his opening statement on Tuesday. “This was all very strange to me when I went to observe the process. |
| “If the AWI knew such a room was booked, it would never have taken place. We don’t do things this way.” | “If the AWI knew such a room was booked, it would never have taken place. We don’t do things this way.” |
| The committee is examining claims of a toxic culture inside the nation’s wool industry amid calls for Merriman’s resignation. | The committee is examining claims of a toxic culture inside the nation’s wool industry amid calls for Merriman’s resignation. |
| Some growers are calling on the federal government to cut the more than $13m it gives AWI each year. | Some growers are calling on the federal government to cut the more than $13m it gives AWI each year. |
| “It’s fair to say AWI has had a difficult few months, mostly caused by me,” Merriman said. | “It’s fair to say AWI has had a difficult few months, mostly caused by me,” Merriman said. |
| Western Australian woolgrower David Thompson told the ABC Merriman was “punch drunk on his own power”. | Western Australian woolgrower David Thompson told the ABC Merriman was “punch drunk on his own power”. |
| “I would describe the culture at AWI as toxic and it shouldn’t be that,” Thompson said. | “I would describe the culture at AWI as toxic and it shouldn’t be that,” Thompson said. |
| Thompson wants issues such as potential conflicts of interest, transparency and alleged breaches of corporate governance addressed. Some growers are angry about the AWI’s approach to mulesing, a controversial practice where skin is cut away from an animal’s buttocks to prevent fly strike. | Thompson wants issues such as potential conflicts of interest, transparency and alleged breaches of corporate governance addressed. Some growers are angry about the AWI’s approach to mulesing, a controversial practice where skin is cut away from an animal’s buttocks to prevent fly strike. |
| Merriman also apologised for telling an ABC reporter to “fuck off” and describing him as a “useless prick” when he attempted to interview him at a function earlier in the month. | Merriman also apologised for telling an ABC reporter to “fuck off” and describing him as a “useless prick” when he attempted to interview him at a function earlier in the month. |
| “I confess I am direct in the way I speak, I am from the bush,” Merriman said. “I occasionally come across in a way that causes offence.” | “I confess I am direct in the way I speak, I am from the bush,” Merriman said. “I occasionally come across in a way that causes offence.” |
| In 10 years rural reporting I don't recall anyone "from the bush" telling me to "f*ck off" while doing my job. Let alone an industry leader. https://t.co/qMUds54lMF | In 10 years rural reporting I don't recall anyone "from the bush" telling me to "f*ck off" while doing my job. Let alone an industry leader. https://t.co/qMUds54lMF |
| The hearing continues. | The hearing continues. |
| Business (Australia) | |
| Agriculture | |
| Australian politics | |
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