GET to work or get out. That's the message from WoolProducers president Don Hamblin to two Australian Wool Innovation directors who have failed to support their chairman, Brian van Rooyen.
A resolution of support for Mr van Rooyen at AWL's board meeting last week attracted dissenting votes from Chick Olsson and Wal Merriman.
The vote was taken following recent public comments from Mr Olsson and the president of the Australian Wool Growers Association, Martin Oppenheimer.
They have suggested that board member and Dubbo sheep and wool processor Roger Fletcher should take the reins.
The meeting also took the unusual step of disclosing how each of the directors voted.
Dr John Keniry, Dr Chris Abell, Dr Kevin Bell, Robyn Clubb, and Ken Boundy backed the chairman with Mr Merriman and Mr Olsson against.
Roger Fetcher abstained from voting while Mr van Rooyen left the meeting for the discussions and vote.
The vote highlighted tensions within the board in the lead-up to AWI elections and annual general meeting in November.
Much of the animosity is being fuelled by AWGA which is set to back challengers to the five seeking re-election, Dr Chris Abell, Mr van Rooyen, Ms Clubb, Mr Boundy and Dr John Keniry.
"Get to work and stop wasting our time," Mr Hamblin told the dissident directors.
"Time spent on agri-politics is time not spent on increasing the price of wool or lowering the cost of production, which is what we pay you for.
"The AWI board is not a political prize or a parliament for agri-politicians to fight over.
"It is there to oversee a multi-million-dollar research and marketing company for its shareholders."
Mr Hamblin said directors were obliged to put the company and shareholders first.
"The choice is simple for a director who feels he or she can't support the company or its chair," he said.
"Get behind the board and get to work, or get out."
