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Media Spokespeople
This page provides a brief look at some of the department's regular media spokespeople. These people play an important leadership role during incidents or emergencies.
Interviews or statements can be arranged by phoning 02 6272 3572 or emailing the mediacentre.
Dr Andy Carroll – Australia's Chief Veterinary Officer
Dr Andy Carroll is Australia’s Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO). His early veterinary background was predominantly rural having worked as a District Veterinary Officer in Queensland. This experience gave him a good grounding in rural life, livestock health and an environmental awareness.
Dr Carroll joined the Commonwealth in what is now DAFF in 1985 and has worked in several areas of the Department including animal health, and import and export operations.
As CVO, he will be aiming to achieve high quality health outcomes for our animal industries and fauna to contribute to the return from our export industries, tourism, sport and public amenity. He will also be focussing on food safety and security and protection of human health from animal diseases. Dr Carroll intends to achieve this through building constructive relationships within the Department and across Commonwealth agencies, as well as with State/Territory counterparts, the veterinary profession, and animal industry and environmental stakeholders.
Ed Klim - Manager of the Food Safety Systems (PIAPH)
Ed Klim is the Manager of the Food Safety Systems section of Product Integrity Animal and Plant Health within the DAFF.
He is responsible for handling trade perspectives of food safety emergencies across all commodities particularly involving contaminants. He is also involved in aspects of BSE, the ruminant feed ban, feedstuffs, US Bioterrrorism Act and SAFEMEAT matters.
Ed has been in the department for over 20 years and previously worked in AQIS and has been directly involved in various contaminant and food safety issues affecting agriculture.
Dr Lois Ransom - Australia's Chief Plant Protection Officer
As Australia's Chief Plant Protection Officer, Lois' role is to:
- advise Government, industry and the public on plant health issues
- coordinate a national response to plant pest emergencies
- represent Australia’s plant health interests internationally, and
- act as a focal point on national plant health issues.
Carson Creagh - Media Manager (AQIS)
Carson Creagh is Media Manager for the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) within the DAFF.
He is a zoologist by background, with more than 20 years experience in magazine, newspaper and book publishing and radio. He has written several books on natural history, three of which have won awards. He has also worked with the Institute for Crisis Management in Louisville, Kentucky and the Centre for Disease Control in Atlanta.
In addition to media liaison, Carson develops crisis communications strategies for government departments and industry, conducts training for Australian and state government authorities and has played a central role in the development of Biorisk, a network of government and industry specialists in biological emergency management.
Carson should be contacted to comment on border and quarantine issues. Ph 02 6272 5156.