Introducing the Strategic Statement

On 14 November 2011 the Secretary, Dr Conall O’Connell, released a new DAFF Strategic Statement. The statement sets out the department’s mission, vision, goals and the culture to which we aspire. In particular, the new mission – We work to sustain the way of life and prosperity of all Australians – summarises what we as a department are here to do and for whom we do it.

This mission recognises that we – and our portfolio industries – contribute strongly to the Australian way of life. The department’s work affects the food Australians eat, the sustainability of our environment and the state of the economy. The mission clearly states our role in improving the productivity, competiveness and sustainability of our portfolio industries. It also emphasises our role in facilitating trade – helping people and goods move in and out of the country while managing the risks to the environment and animal, plant and human health. 

The department’s three vision statements for the Australian people, portfolio industries and the department reflect our aspirations for our work.

Changes to the DAFF identity

At the same time, we have launched an evolution of the DAFF identity. The new departmental identity reflects the Australian Government’s decision in the 2011–12 Budget that biosecurity functions will remain in the department and not be established as a separate agency. It captures the biosecurity continuum – that is, addressing pest and disease risks off shore (before they reach Australia), at the border and on shore (within Australia) – rather than focusing our activities on quarantine at the border; a concept consistent with the 2008 Beale Review of Australia’s biosecurity system. The changes also reflect where the government is headed in preparing new biosecurity legislation which is developed with the contemporary trading environment in mind. As a result, the biosecurity function is now closely aligned and identified with the department.

The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) is regularly quoted for its forecasts and analysis and has a high degree of public and professional recognition. It is a key part of the capability of the department and its work is used to inform a range of policy challenges within government and industry. With this in mind, we will retain the ABARES name but it will be more closely identified with the department as DAFF ABARES.

These changes will reinforce the level of service we provide, including our commitment to providing informed advice to government and industry, managing biosecurity risks, delivering programs and conducting research to help advance Australia’s agriculture, fisheries and forestry industries.

For AQIS clients, the name change will not affect the authority under which audit, inspection and certification activities are conducted. Where our service is legislated, you may continue to see AQIS used for some time while we transition as a department.

Frequently asked questions on the new DAFF identity

Why does DAFF need a new visual identity?

Challenges such as climate change, increases in global travel and trade, economic pressures and shifting community expectations of government require us to re–think our business and the services we provide. Our new identity follows other changes, such as the development of the Strategic Statement, which are defining who we are and what we do as a modern Australian Government organisation. Our new identity will also help us present ourselves in a way in which our stakeholders, customers and the community can recognise us and interact with us effectively.

What’s changing?

The new DAFF identity has several elements. We are introducing a new design to represent DAFF’s biosecurity function (in place of AQIS). The design visually describes the services we provide in managing Australia’s biosecurity system. We have a new departmental identity with colours, schemes and imagery to better represent the work we do and our new strategic direction. Shortly, we will be introducing changes to bring our various websites together.

Why is the AQIS name being changed?

This decision follows the government’s decision to retain biosecurity management within DAFF, and more generally the focus towards biosecurity across the continuum – off shore, at the border and on shore – not just at the border. The business of AQIS is changing so the focus on quarantine no longer reflects the diversity of our biosecurity business and the way we need to work with industry and the community into the future. Even though AQIS is identifiable with industry and very much associated with border protection and management, we have decided to change it because of a strategic shift in biosecurity away from just border protection.

How will the changes to AQIS affect industry and clients?

You will not experience any changes in the services provided by us as a result of these changes. For AQIS clients, the name change will not affect the authority under which audit, inspection and certification activities are conducted. Indeed, where our service is legislated, you may continue to see AQIS used for some time while we transition as a department.

These changes reinforce the level of service we provide, including our commitment to providing informed advice to government and industry, managing biosecurity risks, delivering programs and conducting research to help advance Australia’s agriculture, fisheries and forestry industries.

What are AQIS officers now called?

AQIS officers are now called DAFF’s biosecurity officers.

What changes are being made to ABARES?

The ABARES identity is changing to be more closely aligned with the DAFF identity. There will be no changes to the services provided by ABARES nor a reduction in our commitment to providing informed research services and advice to government and industry, to help advance Australia’s agriculture, fisheries and forestry industries.

How much external consultation was undertaken to inform the DAFF identity changes?

A wide range of considerations informed the decisions, and external factors have been part of the process and will continue to inform the way ahead for our identity. The identity review process involved considering a range of issues, including external considerations about our relationship with industry, other governments, stakeholders and the community.

The recent biosecurity market research amongst stakeholders, industry and the community informed the decisions.

The rollout of the new departmental identity will continue to identify and address external considerations and impacts.