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Biosecurity Advisory Council

Role of the Biosecurity Advisory Council

The Biosecurity Advisory Council was established on 1 January 2010 as a non-statutory advisory body to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, replacing the Quarantine and Exports Advisory Council.

The principal role of the Council is to provide independent advice on matters across the entire biosecurity continuum including the performance of all agencies operating in the biosecurity field.

The Council’s establishment addressed a key recommendation of the 2008 independent review of Australia’s quarantine and biosecurity arrangements—One biosecurity: a working partnership (the Beale review).

Interim Terms of Reference

The Council is to provide the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry with:

  • co-ordinated, strategic risk-based policy advice on major biosecurity issues
  • advice on biosecurity activities undertaken by the Commonwealth, state and territory governments including the identification of areas which could benefit from increased cooperation
  • advice on improving responses to incidents of biosecurity concern, including emergency pest and disease incursions and strategies to deal with invasive species either established or newly introduced
  • advice on the efficacy of public biosecurity awareness and education campaigns
  • advice on any other matter referred to it by the minister.

The Council’s terms of reference have been established on an interim basis in advance of other Beale recommendations being progressed, including the establishment of permanent biosecurity governance structures; passage of new biosecurity legislation; and conclusion of the national agreement on biosecurity. At that time, a review of the Council’s terms of reference and operation will occur to identify further roles and responsibilities for the Council and revise the lines of reporting.

Membership

  • Mr Andrew Inglis AM (Chair)
  • Dr Lisa Adams
  • Dr Joanne Daly
  • Mr Peter Kenny
  • Dr Elizabeth Mattiske
  • Ms Claire Penniceard
  • Dr Bernie Towler
  • Mr Dennis Witt
  • Ex-Officio, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

Media release

Council to help protect Australia’s biosecurity – 21 December 2009

Further information

For more information please phone 02 6272 4898 or email.