Colin Bettles comes from a dairy farming family in Western Australia and has worked for Grain Producers Australia since May 2021 as Chief Executive.
Prior to this, he was a journalist with Rural Press/Fairfax Media (2006-2018) – including as Canberra Bureau Chief in the Canberra Press Gallery, covering national agricultural issues (2010-2018).
From 2006 to 2010, Colin was the Farm Weekly’s Grains Writer in WA, covering issues relevant to his role with GPA today, including farm representation, crop production, wheat exports deregulation, supply chain and competition.
After leaving Fairfax, Colin was Senior Media Adviser to former Nationals Leader, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Michael McCormack, including during the 2019 federal election campaign.
Prior to Rural Press, he held several roles at the WA Cricket Association, including Media and Communications Manager and game development for country, district, women’s and community cricket and umpiring. He is also a former small business owner.