Overseas agricultural staff profiles

Mr Dominic Pyne

Counsellor (Agriculture) — Bangkok

Mr Pyne was appointed Counsellor (Agriculture) in Bangkok in 2009. The Bangkok office was opened in January 2006, to enhance market access in the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) region.

Mr Pyne is focusing on developing new opportunities for Australian agriculture, fisheries and forestry exports in ASEAN markets through improving cooperation and communication between Australia and regional industry and governments. Mr Pyne is also promoting regional understanding about Australia’s quarantine system and food safety issues. He is working to ensure Australian exporters successfully enter new export markets, as well as providing support to maintain existing markets, including Malaysia, Philippines and Vietnam. Mr Pyne reports on ASEAN agricultural policies so Australia can react quickly to changes in policy or administrative procedures which are likely to have an impact on our export markets.

Mr Pyne has extensive experience working on market access and trade issues and has previously been responsible for promoting Australia’s export interests in agricultural and food products. From 2001-2005, Mr Pyne served as the Minister-Counsellor (Agriculture) in Brussels, working on market access and broad agricultural trade policy issues in the European Union. His experience includes working on a range of issues multilaterally through the World Trade Organization and bilaterally on free trade agreement negotiations.

Contact: Dominic Pyne
Phone: +66 2 344 6511
Fax: +66 2 344 6580

Australian Embassy, Thailand

Dr Rob Williams

Counsellor (Agriculture - Technical) — Beijing

Dr Williams was appointed Counsellor (Agriculture) in Beijing in January 2012.

A key focus of Dr Williams’ work is on progressing technical market access issues, promoting Australia's interests in China, facilitating trade and pursuing Australia’s agri-food trade policy objectives. Dr Williams organises and takes part in regional visits and bilateral discussions. He works closely with the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the China-based offices of Austrade, and Australian agricultural industry groups.

Dr Williams has degrees in science and veterinary science, and a Masters in veterinary public health management. Dr Williams has worked across the Department in various roles, including managing areas in biosecurity, facilitating exports and in domestic animal health programs including emergency disease preparedness. Dr Williams spent three years in the US in the role of Counsellor (Agriculture).

Contact: Dr Rob Williams
Phone: +86 10 5140 4155
Fax: +86 10 6532 5779

Australian Embassy, China (People's Republic of)

Mr James Lee

Counsellor (Agriculture – Policy) — Beijing

Mr James Lee was appointed Counsellor (Agriculture – Policy) in Beijing in July 2009.

Mr Lee’s key priorities are to support Australia’s efforts in free trade agreement negotiations with China and to improve market access conditions for Australia’s agriculture, fisheries and forestry industries. Mr Lee is also responsible for advocating for Australian agriculture interests as well as analysing and reporting on Chinese agricultural policies and trade issues.

Mr Lee has a Bachelor of Applied Science (Agriculture) and has wide portfolio experience. Prior to his appointment, Mr Lee was Manager of the department’s Marine Environment Section, working on fisheries bycatch, resource sharing and harvest strategy policies. Since 2001, Mr Lee has worked on a range of fisheries-related bilateral and multilateral activities. These have included Australia’s ratification of the convention that established the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission, Australia’s participation in the APEC Fisheries Working Group and the negotiations to establish the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organisation. Prior to 2001 he worked on a range of issues including sanitary and phytosanitary measures, the development of Australia’s first Import Risk Analysis Handbook, quarantine policy as it relates to marine pests, and meat export policy.

Contact: James Lee
Phone: +86 10 5140 4212
Fax: +86 10 6532 5779

Australian Embassy, China (People's Republic of)

Mr Russell Phillips

Minister–Counsellor (Agriculture) – Brussels

Mr Russell Phillips was appointed Minister–Counsellor (Agriculture) Brussels in November 2011.

Key areas of focus for Mr Phillips involve maintaining and improving market access for Australia’s agriculture, fisheries, forestry and food exports to the European Union (EU). In particular, Mr Phillips provides analysis, reporting and advocacy on European agricultural policies and trade issues, including the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy; the use of export subsidies by the EU; the EU sugar regime and wine industry arrangements; the development of forest accreditation systems; and ensuring the smooth functioning of tariff quota arrangements which affect Australian exports of dairy, beef and sheep–meat products. He is also the Australian delegate to the International Grains Council and the International Sugar Organization.

Prior to his appointment he was the Executive Manager, Biosecurity Strategic Projects Division. He has worked on rural and regional issues in the Department of Transport, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet as well as in the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

Mr Phillips has worked in the department for the last six years and has tertiary qualifications in economics, computing and applied finance.

Contact: Russell Phillips
Phone: +32 2 286 0513
Fax: +32 2 230 6802

Australian Embassy to Belgium and Luxembourg and Australian Mission to the European Union

Dr Anthony Wigg

Consul-Agriculture (Middle East) - Dubai

 Dr Wigg represents Australia on policy and technical issues relating to agricultural exports and works closely with government agencies and agricultural and industry groups in the region to build and maintain strong bilateral relations.  This work covers countries in the Middle East and North Africa.

Dr Wigg is a veterinarian with a Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery degree.  He has over 20 years work experience in Canberra and regional office roles with the Department.  This has included food and animal export operations, animal quarantine and national verification auditing.  Prior to his appointment Dr Wigg was an Area Technical Manager based in the Adelaide regional office.  He was actively involved in meat inspection reform process to develop the Australian Meat Inspection System and the audit management system being used for its verification. 

Contact: Anthony Wigg
Phone: +971 4 508 7187
Fax: +971 4 355 0719

Australian Consulate-General in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Mr Bruce Wallner

Counsellor (Agriculture) - Jakarta

Mr Bruce Wallner was appointed Counsellor (Agriculture) in Jakarta from January 2011.  The Jakarta office was opened in December 2006, as part of an Australian Government initiative to combat illegal foreign fishing.  Since then the role of the post has broadened to also include agricultural trade, market access and biosecurity issues. 

Mr Wallner represents Australia's agriculture, fisheries and forestry interests in Indonesia.

These include a diverse range of activities to:

• prevent illegal fishing in Australia's northern waters and promote more sustainable fishing in the region,
• facilitate market access and exports of key commodities such as live cattle, beef horticulture and dairy products,
• partner with Indonesia to address emerging biosecurity threats,
• encourage trade in timber and wood products from legally harvested and sustainably managed forests, and
• enhance bilateral trade, investment and cooperation, through a comprehensive economic partnership agreement between Indonesia and Australia.

Mr Wallner has formal training in marine science and computer programming and an extensive background in fisheries research, management and policy. Prior to taking up the post, Mr Wallner led the domestic fisheries and aquaculture policy section in the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. He has also directed programs for sustainable fishing and knowledge management at the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, and had a number of roles in operational fisheries management, research investment, environmental impact assessment and fisheries stock assessment research within both Australian government and state government agencies. Mr Wallner has also worked in the private sector in the middle east (Republic of Yemen) undertaking projects in capacity building and rural industry development.

Contact: Bruce Wallner
Phone: +62 21 2550 5455
Fax: +6221 2550 5504

Australian Embassy, Jakarta

Mr Ian Mortimer

Counsellor (Agriculture) — New Delhi

Mr Ian Mortimer was appointed Counsellor (Agriculture) in New Delhi in January 2009.

Mr Mortimer will work to maintain, enhance and develop new market access opportunities for Australian agriculture, fishery, forestry and food products in India. He also aims to advance Australia’s agricultural trade interests, through working to improve cooperation and communication with Indian government agencies and industry, and monitoring and reporting on India’s agricultural policies.

Mr Mortimer has tertiary qualifications in biological science and more than 15 years experience working with agricultural industries. At DAFF he has worked with various divisions including Trade and Market Access; Product Integrity, Animal and Plant Health; and the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service. Mr Mortimer most recently managed the Americas Section in the Trade and Market Access Division. The role focused on Australia’s bilateral agricultural trade relationship with the Americas. Mr Mortimer also has experience working with a number of other government departments and agencies including the former Department of Environment and Heritage and the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority.


Contact: Ian Mortimer
Phone: +91 11 4149 4354
Fax: +91 11 2688 7492

Australian High Commission, India

Mr Travis Power

Minister-Counsellor (Agriculture) — Rome (FAO) & Paris (OECD)

Mr Travis Power was appointed Minister Counsellor (Agriculture) in July 2009. He is based in Rome, Italy.

Mr Power represents Australia’s interests at the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and relevant agriculture committees of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

As Australia’s Alternate Permanent Representative to the FAO, Mr Power promotes Australia’s priorities on agriculture and food issues, such as food security, standard-setting and regulatory work, as well as on fisheries and forestry issues. He represents Australia’s interests in the major FAO governance and policy committee negotiations.

In the OECD, Mr Power represents Australia on committees relating to food, fisheries and agriculture. The OECD brings together the governments committed to democracy and the market economy and provides an opportunity for governments to compare policy experiences, seek answers to common problems, identify good practice and coordinate domestic and international policies.

Mr Power also represents Australia’s interest in bilateral engagements with Italy.

Mr Power holds a Bachelor of Science and has a number of positions with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, including General Manager, Policy Development. Mr Power has extensive experience in policy development across the portfolio, including in relation to natural resource management and international trade.

Contact: Travis Power 
Phone: +3906 8527 2376
Fax: +3906 8527 2346

Australian Embassy, Italy

Australian Delegation to OECD, France

Ms Joanne Pearce

Counsellor (Agriculture) — Seoul

Joanne Pearce was appointed Counsellor (Agriculture) in Seoul in December 2010.

A key focus of Ms Pearce's work will be to improve market access for portfolio industries and to increase Australia's agricultural trade interests in Korea and Taiwan. Of particular importance is the finalisation and subesequent implementation of the Australia-Korea Free Trade Agreement. Responsibility for agricultural issues relating to Mongolia also lie with the Counsellor (Agriculture), Seoul position.

Ms Pearce has a Bachelor of Science degree and a Graduate Diploma in Management Sciences. She has worked in the agricultural portfolio for more than 15 years, primarily in the areas of quarantine, biosecurity and fisheries. Ms Pearce most recently managed the Asia, Sub-continent and Middle East team of the Plant Biosecurity (Horticulture) branch and in that role had responsibility for horticultural market access issues for both exports and imports. Prior to that she worked on domestic fisheries issues for a period of three years from 2006-2008. From 2001-2005, Ms Pearce was the National Manager for the Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy and East Timor programs of the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service.

Contact: Joanne Pearce
Phone: +822 2003 0188
Fax: +822 722 6491

Australian Embassy, Korea (Republic of)

Ms Sally Standen

Minister-Counsellor (Agriculture) — Tokyo

Ms Sally Standen was appointed Minister Counsellor (Agriculture) in Tokyo in 2008.

Priorities for Ms Standen in Japan include maintaining and improving market access for Australia's agriculture, fisheries, forestry and food exports. Ms Standen is responsible for analysing and reporting on Japanese agricultural policies and trade issues, and advocating for Australian interests. A key focus for Ms Standen is to support Australia’s efforts in negotiating a Free Trade Agreement with Japan.

Ms Standen has an Executive Masters in Public Administration as well as a Bachelor of Arts degree. Before her appointment she was the General Manager of the Animal Welfare Branch and has extensive experience in animal and plant health policy and agricultural industry policy; particularly meat, wool and dairy. Ms Standen has worked in the Department for the past 12 years.

 
Contact: Sally Standen
Phone: +813 5232 4021
Fax: +813 5232 4029

Australian Embassy, Japan

Mr David Porritt

Counsellor (Agriculture) — Tokyo

 Mr Porritt was appointed Counsellor (Agriculture) in Japan, based in Tokyo, in August 2009.

Mr Porritt is responsible for issues involving technical regulation of agricultural and food exports to Japan. He is working on addressing Sanitary and Phytosanitary barriers, in order to gain, improve and/or maintain access to the Japanese market.

Mr Porritt holds a Bachelor of Applied Science (Hon.) and Graduate Diploma in Legal Studies, specialising in Environmental Law.  He has worked in a number of broad areas in agriculture and has worked in both the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service and Biosecurity Australia. Mr Porritt has extensive experience in maintaining and developing markets for Australian exporters through international negotiations. He represented Australia and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Southwest Pacific Region on various policy setting bodies of the International Plant Protection Commission (IPPC) and the international standards body of the IPPC (the Standards Committee) that aid in the development of the trade facilitation aspects of FAO's work program through developing International Standards on Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM’s) for a number of years.

Contact: David Porritt
Phone: +813 5232 4027
Fax: +813 5232 4029

Australian Embassy, Japan

Dr Chris Parker

Minister-Counsellor (Agriculture) — Washington

Dr Chris Parker was appointed Minister Counsellor (Agriculture) Washington, D.C in July 2011.

Dr Parker will work to maintain and to advance Australia’s agricultural trade with the United States (US) of America, with a particular focus on market access for Australian agricultural products and US agriculture policy, as well as building relations to advance common interests of both countries in international fora.

Chris studied as a veterinarian and holds a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery. He worked for a number of years in mixed veterinary practice in rural Australia and has extensive practical farming experience having operated a family farming and grazing property for 11 years before his move to Canberra. He has worked as a senior political adviser before joining the Department in  2006 where he has held a number of roles dealing with biosecurity service delivery and broader departmental policy, including multilateral trade policy.

Contact: Chris Parker
Phone: +331 4059 3370
Fax: +331 4059 3394

Australian Embassy, United States of America