21 December 2009
DAFF09/367B
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke has today announced appointments to the newly created Biosecurity Advisory Council.
The establishment of the council is a key recommendation of the Beale Review, and will provide independent advice on Australia’s biosecurity systems.
Mr Burke said creating the council was an important step in the overall biosecurity reform process.
“It will provide me, the future Director of Biosecurity, and the future Australian Biosecurity Standards Commission with strategic and policy advice on biosecurity issues,” Mr Burke said.
“The membership reflects a broad range of expertise in the fields of agriculture, environment, health sciences, risk assessment, business management and operational aspects of biosecurity.”
The council—as recommended by the Beale Review—will replace the Quarantine and Exports Advisory Council (QEAC). Reflecting a move from quarantine to biosecurity, the council will have a broader role in providing advice across the biosecurity continuum.
“QEAC has played an important advisory role since its establishment in 1997 and I would like to thank members for their valuable contribution,” Mr Burke said.
The council chair and members are:
Andrew Inglis (Chair of the Biosecurity Advisory Council) is a South Australian grain and beef farmer, former Deputy Chairman of the Quarantine and Exports Advisory Council and a member of the past two major reviews of Australia’s quarantine and biosecurity arrangements—the 1996 Nairn review and the 2008 Beale review. He is the current Chairman of the Future Farm Industries Cooperative Research Centre and is a former Chairman of Plant Health Australia. Mr Inglis was awarded an Order of Australia in 2000 for service to agriculture.
Dr Lisa Adams is aresearch and development consultant to the agriculture and public health sectors. She is a member of the Western Australian State Health Research Advisory Council and former Foundation Executive Director and Director of Research Development of the Australian Biosecurity Cooperative Research Centre for Emerging Infectious Disease. Dr Adams is a veterinarian with experience working in the agriculture and health sciences and has broad knowledge of biosecurity systems and policy.
Dr Joanne Daly is the Group Executive of CSIRO’s Agribusiness portfolio and provides the council with skills and experience in environmental and biosecurity sciences. Dr Daly is the former Chief of CSIRO Entomology (2003–07) and is currently CSIRO’s representative on the Primary Industry Standing Committee. Dr Daly was a member of the Quarantine and Exports Advisory Council.
Mr Peter Kenny was president of AgForce between 2004 and 2008 and was elected to the board of the National Farmers’ Federation in 2006. He has been secretary of the Cattlemen’s Union of Australia. He has always been closely associated with the land and has owned and managed properties in different industries, including cattle, dairying, orchards, lucerne and piggeries. Most recently, Mr Kenny was chair of an expert panel assessing social impacts as part of the 2008 Drought Policy Review.
Dr Elizabeth Mattiske has more than 30 years experience in flora and vegetation surveys in Australia and external territories. She is a former Australian Heritage Commissioner and currently a member of the Australian Heritage Council. She has been involved with both state and federal state of environment committees and is a former member and deputy chairman of the Western Australian National Parks and Nature Conservation Authority and the Western Australian Environmental Protection Authority. Dr Mattiske brings to the council a depth of experience on threatening processes and impacts of introduced species on Australian ecosystems.
Ms Claire Penniceard is the owner of an export pig production company and has won three significant national awards for environmental stewardship and innovation. Ms Penniceard has been Director of the Goulburn Murray Water Authority since 2007 and member of the Victorian Government’s Ministerial Women in Primary Industries Advisory Panel since 2008. She provides the council with experience in agriculture, primary production, environmental sciences and business management.
Dr Bernie Towler is the Principal Medical Adviser, Office of Health Protection, Department of Health and Ageing. She continues to practise medicine and has strong public health experience in academic, research and policy environments.
Mr Dennis Witt is the former Chief Veterinary Officer of Tasmania. Mr Witt has been a member of a range advisory and consultative committees and will provide the council with valuable state government experience and expertise in the areas of agriculture, fisheries and operational biosecurity.