Colin Bettles

Colin Bettles comes from a dairy farming family in Western Australia.

From 2006 to 2010, Colin was the Farm Weekly’s Grains Writer, covering the WA and national industry.

In 2010, he was promoted to the role of Canberra Bureau Chief, joining the Canberra Press Gallery, at the start of the hung parliament. This role involved covering national agricultural issues for all states and all commodities – he and other like-minded communicators re-established the National Rural Press Club in 2016.

In 2018, Colin became Senior Media Adviser to the then Nationals Leader, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development and Riverina MP, Michael McCormack.

After the successful 2019 federal election campaign, he pursued different roles as a private consultant before taking a senior communications role with NSW Land and Housing Corporation, and in May 2021, became the inaugural Chief Executive of Grain Producers Australia.

He is currently pursuing consulting opportunities as the proprietor of Food Producers Australia, specialising in strategic communications, stakeholder engagement and policy.

Prior to joining Rural Press, Colin worked at the WA Cricket Association, including as Media and Communications Manager and roles in game development for country, district, women’s and community cricket and umpiring.

He is also a former small business owner – having purchased a fish and chip shop in North Beach, WA, at age 24.