On 28 February 2024, the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry announced that the Government is extending its commitment to transparency and accountability with the creation of a new Sustainable Biosecurity Funding Advisory Panel (the Panel). Details of the announcement are available in the Minister’s media release.
The Panel has been created to provide increased transparency for key contributors of biosecurity funding including producers and importers, and will build closer collaboration between government and key stakeholders, with regular meetings to share insights, discuss biosecurity priorities and explain spending decisions.
Panel members will be provided information about what revenue is being raised from producers and importers, how that money is being invested, in addition to updates on the rollout of the Sustainable Biosecurity Funding package measures.
The role of the Sustainable Biosecurity Funding Advisory Panel is to provide transparency of biosecurity expenditure and give biosecurity stakeholders – including producers and importers – genuine input into biosecurity priority setting for Australia’s biosecurity system.
The first meeting was held on 30 April 2024.
Panel membership
The Deputy Secretary Biosecurity, Operations and Compliance Group of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry chairs the Panel.
Membership of the Panel is drawn from major agriculture, fisheries and forestry sectors, importers, environmental and research organisations.
| Name | Role | Position | Organisation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Justine Saunders APM | Chair | Deputy Secretary, Biosecurity and Compliance Group | Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry |
| Dr Mary Wu | Member | Chair of AHA Industry Forum | Animal Health Australia Industry Forum |
| Justin Toohey | Member | Animal Health Welfare and Biosecurity Advisor | Australian Dairy Farmers |
| Paco Tovar | Member | National Biosecurity Manager | Australian Forest Products Association |
| Cameron Brown | Member | Manager – Public Affairs | Australian Fresh Produce Alliance |
| Lee McLean | Member | Chief Executive Officer | Australian Grape and Wine |
| Margo Andrae | Member | Chief Executive Officer | Australian Pork Limited |
| Dr Chris Parker | Member | Chief Executive Officer | Cattle Australia |
| Prof. Andrew Robinson | Member | Chief Executive Officer | Centre of Excellence for Biosecurity Risk Analysis |
| Prof. Brett Sutton | Member | Director of Health and Biosecurity | Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation |
| Adam Kay | Member | Chief Executive Officer | Cotton Australia |
| Paul Zalai | Member | Director | Freight and Trade Alliance |
| Colin Bettles | Member | Chief Executive Officer | Grain Producers Australia |
| Shona Gawel | Member | Chief Executive Officer | GrainGrowers |
| Brad Leonard | Member | Manager – Border and Biosecurity | International Forwarders and Customs Brokers Association |
| Andrew Cox | Member | Chief Executive Officer | Invasive Species Council |
| Nathan Hancock | Member | Chair – PHA Industry Forum | Plant Health Australia Industry Forum |
| Veronica Papacosta | Member | Chief Executive Officer | Seafood Industry Australia |
| Bonnie Skinner | Member | Chief Executive Officer | Sheep Producers Australia |
| Jo Hall | Member | Chief Executive Officer | WoolProducers Australia |
Terms of Reference
Terms of Reference for this panel are listed below.
Download
Terms of Reference (PDF 781 KB)
Terms of Reference (DOCX 66 KB)
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Chair's Notes
Key issues considered at previous panel meetings are outlined in the Notes listed below.
Download
Chair's Note - Meeting 1, 30 April 2024 (PDF 113 KB)
Chair's Note - Meeting 1, 30 April 2024 (DOCX 32 KB)
Chair's Note - Meeting 2, 14 June 2024 (PDF 178 KB)
Chair's Note - Meeting 2, 14 June 2024 (DOCX 224 KB)
Chair's Note - Meeting 3, 11 September 2024 (PDF 180 KB)
Chair's Note - Meeting 3, 11 September 2024 (DOCX 231 KB)
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Minutes
Previous meeting minutes are listed below.
Download
Minutes - Meeting 1, 30 April 2024 (PDF 806 KB)
Minutes - Meeting 1, 30 April 2024 (DOCX 247 KB)
Minutes - Meeting 2, 14 June 2024 (PDF 806 KB)
Minutes - Meeting 2, 14 June 2024 (DOCX 247 KB)
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Enquiries
You can contact the Panel secretariat by emailing us at SecretariatSBF@aff.gov.au