Biosecurity Policy Division

First Assistant Secretary

• Greg Williamson (A/g)
  Switchboard: +61 2 6272 3933

Partnerships

• Assistant Secretary
  Robyn Martin

The branch builds opportunities for collaborative action and facilitates the development and implementation of national agreements, policies and processes for managing the negative impacts of nationally significant exotic pests and diseases.  It works with government and industry partners to improve preparedness to respond quickly and effectively to pest and disease incursions, and to improve the national biosecurity system.

Risk

• Assistant Secretary
  Vanessa Findlay 

The branch supports biosecurity reform through the development and implementation of policies to support the department’s move to risk-based approach to biosecurity. It provides support through the coordination of input and facilitation of expertise, as well as providing a link between the operational programs, subject experts and the decision-making process associated with the reforms.

For more information please contact Biosecurity Reform.

Legislation

• Assistant Secretary
  Debbie Langford

The branch is responsible for assisting with the management of legal risks in the biosecurity business by providing policy advice, coordinating legal advice, undertaking legal risk projects and managing the development and amendment of biosecurity legislation. This includes coordinating and developing new biosecurity legislation to replace the existing Quarantine Act 1908, liaison with other Commonwealth agencies and industry in developing and implementing the new legislation.

For more information please contact New Biosecurity Legislation.

Biosecurity Strategy

• Assistant Secretary
  Louise Clarke

The branch is responsible for progressing a range of strategic initiatives to support biosecurity including overarching policy development, enhancing relationships with other (border) agencies, developing sustainable funding arrangements and progressing long term improvements to post border arrangements.  The key activities undertaken by the branch are:

• oversight of the arrangements underpinning the strategic relationship with and the Memorandum of Understanding between DAFF and the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service,
• streamlining existing fees and charges and ensuring that biosecurity services are supported by appropriate government and industry funding arrangements, and
• progressing long term post-border improvements to enhance Australia’s animal and plant health, preparedness and response activities.