Award winners get the Quarantine message out online and on radio
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eBay Australia and the Torres Strait Islanders Media Association (TSIMA) are joint winners of the National Quarantine Award for 2007.
At a presentation ceremony in Canberra today Dr Conall O’Connell, Director of Quarantine, said that quarantine has always been a shared responsibility and because it was impossible to choose just one major winner this year, eBay Australia and TSIMA will share the glory.
“The National Quarantine Awards recognise individuals, communities and organisations whose outstanding commitment has helped maintain Australia’s enviable freedom from major pests and diseases,” Dr O’Connell said.
“eBay Australia was chosen for its substantial investment and co-operation with the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) in establishing online warning messages to potential customers about the importation of goods of quarantine concern.
“In association with AQIS’s Quarantine Matters! campaign, eBay Australia’s online warning messages help protect Australia from quarantine risks that could arise through online shopping and importing.”
Joint winner the Torres Strait Islanders Media Association was commended for its significant role in educating residents about quarantine requirements.
“The community radio station’s weekly quarantine broadcast is its longest running segment and reinforces key quarantine messages in a culturally relevant way,” Dr O’Connell said.
“On behalf of the Quarantine and Exports Advisory Council, I congratulate both eBay Australia and the Torres Strait Islanders Media Association for their co-operation with AQIS and for their willingness to maintain Australia’s quarantine integrity.”
Dr O’Connell also presented the 2007 Public Sector Award - which recognises an outstanding quarantine or biosecurity achievement by a government organisation - to the AQIS Talisman Sabre team for its contribution to the mitigation of quarantine risks through the entry and presence of the largest ever assembled US military force on Australian shores.
Media contact: DAFF Media +61 2 6272 3232