The Hon Christopher Pyne MP
Parliamentary Secretary to the
Minister for Health and Ageing
12 May 2005
BOARD APPOINTMENTS TO FOOD STANDARDS AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND
Four new members and three reappointments to the Board of Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) were announced today by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health and Ageing, Christopher Pyne.
The new members are Dr Michele Allan, Dr Katrine Baghurst, Mr Peter Boyden and Dr Peter Williams. Mrs Elaine Attwood, Dr John Craven, and Mr Peter Milne have been reappointed.
“This new board represents an excellent mix of experience with top people in their fields of expertise,” Mr Pyne said. “The appointments have been made with the agreement of the Australia and New Zealand Food Regulation Ministerial Council.”
The appointments were made after an advertising campaign which attracted a large number of high quality candidates.
“The range and depth of nominations this year was extraordinary and I am very pleased with the resulting appointments,” Mr Pyne said.
“We have experts from fields such as public health, food science and technology, human nutrition and consumer issues. I feel this is an exceptionally strong board which will continue to move us forward in food regulation in Australia and New Zealand.”
Mr Pyne also said he also wanted to thank the retiring members - Professor Christopher Hudson, Dr Heather Yeatman, Professor Ken Buckle and Dr Kerin O’Dea - for their work over the years.
“All have made major contributions to food issues in Australia and New Zealand,” he said.
FSANZ is the food regulatory authority in Australia and New Zealand, and is chaired by the Mr Rob Knowles. A full list of members and details of their backgrounds is attached.
Media contact: Adam Howard 0400 414 833
FSANZ Board Members – biographical information
The Hon Mr Rob Knowles (Chairman)
Mr Knowles has a very high level of expertise in the field of public administration, having been a senior Minister in the Victorian Government for seven years, and has extensive knowledge of food regulation through his experience as Minister for Health.
Dr Michele Allan (Member nominated by public/health science organisation)
Dr Allan has strong leadership experience across many facets of the food industry. Her areas of expertise included food science, food allergy, medical science, food safety, and biotechnology.
Mrs Elaine Attwood (Member nominated by consumer organisation)
Mrs Attwood has a strong background in the field of consumer advocacy where she has served voluntarily for over 25 years. Her particular consumer interests have centred on food, health and safety issues.
Dr Katrine Baghurst (Member nominated by the National Health and Medical Research Council)
Over the past 30years, Dr Baghurst has been involved in research and in translation of research to practice in the nutrition field in both Australia and New Zealand. Her extensive experience make her a specialist in relation to determining food choice, consumer needs, current dietary patterns in the community and nutritional and food education.
Mr Peter Boyden (Member nominated by food industry organisation)
Mr Boyden has many years experience in Australia and overseas. His areas of expertise included food production, development, marketing and the management of multi national food business.
Dr John Craven (Member nominated by public/health science organisation)
Dr Craven’s expertise covers the agriculture and primary production fields. He is experienced in the production and science of industry through his veterinary and microbiology qualifications. He also has experience in the dairy industry.
Dr Laurence Eyres (Member nominated by New Zealand Government)
Dr Eyres has expertise in food science and his present research and professional speciality is quality assurance and research and development of food products, particularly oils and fats. He has worked in industry for over 30 years and brings a food technology, industry perspective to the Board.
Mr Peter Milne (Member nominated by food industry organisation)
Mr Milne has a lifetime involvement in the livestock industry and extensive experience in primary production. He has also been involved with committees and councils related to agriculture and food production.
Ms Hikihiki Pihema (Member nominated by New Zealand Government)
Ms Pihema has a background in human nutrition, having been a dietician for more than 25 years. Her experience includes community, public and Maori health.
Mr Owen Symmans (Member nominated by New Zealand Government)
Mr Symmans works at the managerial level in the New Zealand meat industry. He has a varied background, having worked for a farmers’ organisation, in government, and in the dairy industry.
Dr Peter Williams (Member nominated by public/health science organisation)
Dr Williams brings to the Board a strong background in public health, food science, food allergy, human nutrition and food safety.
Mr Graham Peachey (Chief Executive Officer of FSANZ)is an ex-officio member of the Board. He has a strong record of achievement as a senior executive in several regulatory bodies in both the health and agriculture portfolios.