About the Council
The WA Biosecurity Council is established by the Minister for Agriculture and Food in accordance with the requirements of Part 2, Division 6 of the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007 (BAM Act).
The functions of the Biosecurity Council are:
- To advise the Minister or the Director General, as the case requires, on any matter related to biosecurity, whether referred to the Council by the Minister or the Director General, or of its own motion.
- If the Minister so approves, to advise any other Minister on any matter related to biosecurity.
Council members come from a range of industries, ensuring a broad range of skills, expertise and knowledge, and a diversity of opinions and contacts.
Executive/administrative support is provided to the Council by the department.
Council members are people with a general or specific interest in biosecurity management and includes members of community and producer organisations.
Most members have current or prior experience in the following areas:
- agriculture, forestry, fishing or pearling or related commercial activities
- natural resource management
- environmental protection
- regional communities.
The Biosecurity Council currently has eight members, who serve three year terms, after which they are eligible for reappointment. Vacancies are publicly advertised.
The Council is guided by the following principles:
- Be strategic by adopting a long-term perspective for biosecurity in WA, and by giving appropriate consideration to national and international obligations.
- Be aware of changing industry, community and environmental needs and of options for balancing the demands of different interests.
- Provide advice to others, including other Ministers and Director Generals, only when specifically permitted.
- Act and be seen to act with integrity, as set out in the Western Australian Public Sector Code of Ethics.
The Council may provide advice any matter related to biosecurity, in particular:
- the requirements of a comprehensive and effective biosecurity system for WA, including necessary linkages to other biosecurity systems, and significant gaps in or improvements required to the system
- opportunities to improve cooperation and collaboration on biosecurity matters
- opportunities to improve awareness, support for biosecurity objectives
- matters referred to the Council by the Minister or the Director General.
The Biosecurity Council is required to submit an annual report to the Minister by 30 November each year. The Council's annual reports are tabled in Parliament.
In addition to annual reports, the Council may prepare reports or publications on other biosecurity matters.
Current Biosecurity Council members
Justin has over 26 years’ experience in environmental, agricultural and aquatic biosecurity, at a senior level. Justin is the current Chief Executive Officer of the Aquaculture Council of WA (Inc).
With a strong focus on aquaculture, his past roles in the Department of Fisheries saw him working across WA in various research and development roles, providing him with in-depth knowledge and understanding of the state’s biosecurity challenges. Justin has chaired, and is a representative on, numerous state and national Boards and advisory groups, where his active involvement, enthusiasm and strong leadership skills has earned him many recognition awards.
Tony is the WA Local Government Association (WALGA) representative appointed to the Biosecurity Council. He brings a wealth of experience in science, agriculture and advocacy. Tony has over 22 years’ experience in local government and is the current Shire President of Nannup.
Along with his work on various councils, boards and committees, he has 11 years experience teaching science in an agriculture setting and was the Principal at the WA College of Agriculture in Cunderdin. Tony is currently President of the South West Local Government Association, and the Warren Blackwood Alliance of Councils. He is a Board member on the South West Development Commission and State Councillor for WALGA, chairing the People and Place Policy Team.
Owen is an experienced conservation biologist and research leader with more than 25 years of experience in global conservation and management of biodiversity and extensive experience in senior leadership in higher education and research.
Owen is currently CEO of the WA Biodiversity Science Institute (WABSI), where he leads a joint venture whose members include:
- CSIRO
- Curtin University
- Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions
- Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety
- DPIRD
- Department of Water and Environmental Regulation
- Edith Cowan University
- Murdoch University
- The University of Western Australia
- the WA Museum.
This partnership brings together leading scientific experts in WA to foster biodiversity research that is collaborative and more effectively addresses knowledge needs in our state to create opportunities for meaningful change in biodiversity conservation and enable sustainable development.
Renata has a long history with the agricultural industry and is currently the Non-Executive Director of Animal Health Australia and Chair of its Audit and Risk Management Committee. She has held 18 board and committee positions over the last 24 years including Deputy Chair of the Cattle Industry Funding Scheme Management Committee, Founding Director of the Sheep Cooperative Research Centre, Director of the WA Meat Industry Authority and Chair of the WA Cattle and Pig Industry Compensation Research Advisory Committees. She is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
For the last 20 years, Renata has been owner and manager of the Lakes Cattle Company which operates a beef breeding business unit and a feedlot business unit. As a member of the Biosecurity Council of WA, Renata seeks to ensure that an effective biosecurity system in WA is linked to a broader national biosecurity collective with deep stakeholder awareness and engagement.
Kelly is the inaugural Director of the WA Agricultural Research Collaboration (which includes DPIRD, CSIRO, Grower Group Alliance and the 4 public universities in WA). Kelly’s portfolio includes Director at the WA Meat Industry Authority and Committee Member to the Gene Technology Technical Advisory Committee.
Kelly is a Nuffield farming scholar, a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, has worked in agricultural research for over 23 years and as well, runs a broadacre grain farm in Yealering. As a member of the Biosecurity Council of WA, Kelly seeks to ensure an effective biosecurity system in WA based on high-quality science and innovation on an international scale.
Melissa is the Deputy Director of Biosecurity and One Health with the Harry Butler Institute at Murdoch University. She is working on projects to develop innovative surveillance tools to detect and deter introduced species using artificial intelligence, molecular biology, and chemistry. Melissa has worked across the entire biosecurity continuum throughout her career, from pre-border mitigation strategies, border quarantine procedures, post-border detection, and invasive species management. Before her position at Murdoch University, Melissa was the Biosecurity Scientist at Chevron Australia Pty Ltd, managing the non-indigenous species surveillance program on Barrow Island.
Melissa has a keen interest in island and environmental biosecurity with a primary focus on terrestrial ecosystems and has published numerous journal articles on environmental biosecurity. As a member of the Biosecurity Council of W.A., Melissa aims to build on Australia’s biosecurity culture to protect industry and the environment from current and emerging biosecurity risks.
Tracy is a veterinarian with Masters and PhD degrees in Veterinary Science and has published numerous journal articles focusing on the impact of diet on heifer development during gestation. Tracy's work focused on reproduction, welfare, trade, beef production, and biosecurity. Currently, Tracy is a director for Yawuru Holdings Company Pty Ltd operating the Roebuck Plains Station and runs her own semen assessment business from Broome. The former President of the Australian Cattle Veterinarians (ACV), Tracy now represents the ACV on the Board of the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA). Tracy was also a partner in a beef and cereal enterprise in Queensland for 20 years.
Tracy brings experience in policy as she is also currently the Policy Councillor for Cattle Australia and represents the CA on the National Farmers Federation Indigenous Engagement Working Group. Tracy's goal is to contribute to WA's biosecurity with a particular interest in One Health and agricultural production.
Shashi has over 40 years’ experience in the food and agriculture sector. This includes positions such as:
- Professor and Chair in Biosecurity and Food Security at Murdoch University
- Director and Chief Plant Health Manager at the Department of Agriculture and Food, WA
- Founder Co-Director of the Australia-China Centre for Abiotic and Biotic Stress Management in Agriculture, Horticulture, and Forestry
- Chairman of Grains Industry Biosecurity, Horticulture Industry Biosecurity, and Bee Industry Biosecurity Committees in WA
- Professor and Head, Division of Nematology
- Scientist at the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics.
He has also served as a biosecurity consultant to various countries in Asia and Africa. Shashi remains steadfast in his dedication to contributing significantly to global biosecurity, food security and planetary health.