The three person technical review panel is to support the Natural Resources Commission in its review of the NSW Government Invasive Species Management.

I led a large team across Queensland in a diverse invasive species portfolio that includes policy, statewide operational, science and stakeholder engagement functions aiming to achieve outcomes consistent with Biosecurity Queensland’s strategic direction and the Biosecurity Act 2014. I oversee national eradication programs including Red Imported Fire Ants, Electric Ants, Four Tropical Weeds, Red Witchweed and Asian Green Mussels.I provide advice to state and national biosecurity agendas in relation to environmental and marine invasive species through representation on national and state inter-jurisdictional and key stakeholder committees, and through strategy development, reviews and working groups.The role provides advice to Chief Biosecurity Officer, Director General, and Minister on key program issues. I am a member of the Biosecurity Queensland executive team.

Led the early implementation and delivery against the 10 year $411.4 million eradication plan for the National Red Imported Fire Ant Eradication Program to find, contain and destroy fire ants in South East Queensland. This included oversight of large scale treatment and surveillance, community engagement initiatives and stakeholder research, science delivery, policy and compliance, remote sensing surveillance tenders, industry engagement and program reporting.Led the setting up of program governance including the establishment of national Steering Committee to provide clear guidance and accountability, the selection and appointment of Program General Manager, Director and the recruitment to senior program positions. Assisted with the establishment of the Scientific Advisory Group and stakeholder engagement forums.Queensland representative on the NRIFAEP Steering Committee.

Led the development of policy initiatives to drive agricultural prosperity and support community sustainability and resilience. Through the DAF regional network, worked with rural communities to identify community priorities aiming to broaden the range and quality of economic and social opportunities available within them.Helped establish the Rural Economies Centre of Excellence, a collaborative partnership with the USQ, CQU, JCU and UQ. Given its significant regional presence the Centre will provide benefits to rural and regional Queensland by identifying policies, strategies and outreach programs to drive innovation in Queensland’s rural and regional economies.Oversight of the Drought Relief Assistance Scheme that provides drought relief from electricity charges, land rent and water licence fees, as well as rural financial counselling and mental health support, and community and educational assistance. It has also assisted charities to deliver fodder and other services to drought-affected communities.

I led and managed the prevention functions of the Animal Biosecurity and Welfare Program (including policy development and community and stakeholder engagement) to achieve outcomes including acting in the position of the Chief Inspector of Stock. I also developed a successful Foot and Mouth Disease initiative and supported the Bovine Johnes Disease response.

Develop and business manage strategic alliances with universities, commonwealth, state and local government agencies, and industry organisations to deliver biosecurity science solutions for new and emerging infections diseases, invasive pathogens and pests. Successfully negotiated the allocation of funds to nominated Hendra Virus research projects.

Led a large statewide team in the state-wide delivery of regional management, marine habitat, freshwater fisheries & habitat, assessment & monitoring and information monitoring services to address service delivery priorities and client needs. This included the state-wide management of fisheries environmental assessments and data provision to meet Environmental Protection, Biodiversity and Conservation Act accreditation, and establish the policy and decision-making framework to assess coastal development and water storage infrastructure in relation to habitat and waterway barrier approvals under the Sustainable Planning Act and Fisheries Act. Achievements included streamlined monitoring and reporting to maintain Commonwealth Government export accreditation for all relevant Queensland commercial fisheries.Oversaw environmental impact assessment and approval processes relating to fisheries habitat of major coastal, inland and water storage infrastructure e.g. Central Qld CSG and Gladstone LNG, Abbot Point, and Wyaralong Dam.Enhanced the declared fish habitat network to cover 1 million hectares protected for fisheries productivity.Oversaw program of fish passage construction with the installation of 20 fishways across Queensland.Led the incident response, intergovernmental and stakeholder negotiations, and key departmental media spokesperson for Gladstone Fish Health investigation.Represented Queensland at local, state and national industry and government forums. Maintained networks key stakeholders groups including commercial and recreation fishing organisations, water storage operators, conservation groups, commonwealth, state and local government departments.

Led the state-wide industry development of fishing and aquaculture industries in partnership with industry, Commonwealth and State development and environmental agencies and local government. Achievements included developing the large scale planning and development initiatives and projects such as the Great Sandy Strait and Bowen precincts in partnership with industry and government to enhance aquaculture opportunities. Also led the development of fish stocking in Queensland through review of program strategy and stocking management, and promoting opportunities with stakeholders as a component of the Living the Queensland Lifestyle Program.Led incident responses to pest fish eradication and Asian green mussel.Strategic advice to the Minister, Director General and Deputy Director General on industry development and regulatory policy. and represented Queensland Government at local, state and national industry and government forums.

Led the development of strategic partnerships in science and technology with major Queensland research institutions and industry sectors. Managed account managers to evaluate and manage strategic investment in twelve research, development and extension programs.Led scoping studies to identify revolutionary research and development opportunities in areas of biotechnology, tropical science and material science. Negotiated strategic research and development initiatives with national and international organisations across science and technology with institutions such as James Cook University, University of Queensland, and national research and development corporations.Developed Research and Development Strategy to guide future research and research infrastructure, develop strategic alliances and science quality.

Managed strategic research and development investment and outcomes to advance science, trade and industry development. Developed and implemented three-year rolling programs that identified priorities and strategies, and performance reporting against milestones.Led the strategic review for revolutionary science in such areas as systems modelling, genomics, biosensors, and climate modelling and prediction.Anticipated national and global changes impacting on the programs through monitoring the external environment of R&D Programs and science and technology innovation.

Led and promoted the research and development program to support the sustainable development of the fisheries and aquaculture in Queensland. Led 60 scientific and administrative staff and a diverse portfolio of projects across three research stations in tropical and subtropical Queensland.Grew the business by providing strategic leadership and management of a highly skilled and multidisciplinary team to deliver on key species and the application of new technologies. Provided a high level of advice on policy development and application, planning processes and national and international collaborations of fisheries and natural resource management research to ensure the effective delivery of program services. Developed joint strategies within the DPI&F and with other State and Commonwealth agencies, the private sector, indigenous communities and international agencies to enhance the quality of services and products delivered to DPIF’s clients.

Lead the expansion of production, processing and distribution, establishing management structure and the necessary compliance procedures to meet ISO2000 and environmental standards. Led 30 scientific, tradesman and farming staff over three farms with annual turnover of over $10 million.Directed a fourfold expansion of Australia’s largest barramundi farm to increase company production to 1,000 tonnes of fish per year supplying fresh fillets directly to supermarkets in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. Developed and implemented five year business plans with strategic objectives and targets, management processes and staffing structures. Advised on company policy, production planning and risk management including ensuring environmental management systems and occupational health and safety practices were observed.

Led research and policy development addressing the environmental impact of harvesting activities on the ecosystem and water quality values of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.Led design, facilitation, and coordination of large scale, multi-disciplinary research projects assessing the ecosystem impacts of harvesting activities on target and non-target species and habitats. Using management scenario modelling to test uncertainty around current and proposed management interventions that would underpin conservation management arrangements. Established policy positions to minimise harvesting and reef infrastructure impact and successfully negotiated these positions (e.g. turtle excluder, dugong protection) with Queensland Government. Actively represented GBRMPA at a senior level on international, federal and state advisory committees and working groups.

Managed broodstock and hatchery production of native tropical finfish and crustacean species including coordination of all aspects of finfish and penaeid production including live feed production, water quality and associated personnel. Leader of field operations from Cape York to Bowen in the acquisition of spawning fish and broodstock.