Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Joe Ludwig, has announced the appointment of Kareena Arthy as the Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA).
Ms Arthy, formerly managing director of Biosecurity Queensland, will lead the national regulator of agricultural chemicals and veterinary medicines (agvet chemicals) for five years from 1 January, 2013.
“Ms Arthy is strong in leadership skills, as well as policy development and implementation. Her experience in public policy and strategic planning is extensive,” Minister Ludwig said.
“The APVMA will benefit from the wealth of her experience as well as her vision and enthusiasm for improving the regulation of our agvet chemicals in Australia.”
Ms Arthy will assume management in an era of change, as the APVMA implements the Australian Government Better Regulation reforms.
“Ms Arthy has the mix of high-level change management experience and expertise in managing technical issues to lead the APVMA’s introduction of the agvet chemicals reforms,” Minister Ludwig said.
“It is vital that the community has confidence in the operation of its national agvet chemicals regulator and the regulatory system itself.”
Minister Ludwig thanked outgoing CEO, Dr Eva Bennet-Jenkins, for her dedication and service.
“Dr Bennet-Jenkins has served the APVMA well and has helped start the process of reforming the agricultural and veterinary chemical sector,” he said.
“I wish her all the best in her next role.”
The APVMA is a statutory authority established in 1993 under the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Administration) Act 1992. It has the important role of safeguarding public health and protecting workers from negative workplace health and safety issues; and defending the environment and our trading relationships from potential detrimental effects of agvet chemicals.
Ms Arthy’s appointment is on a full-time basis for five years from 1 January 2013.
New faces on Australian Landcare Council
Meanwhile Senator Joe Ludwig, has also announced the appointment of Kate Jones, Jackie Jarvis, Lynne Strong and Ron Archer to the Australian Landcare Council.
Minister Ludwig said the council provides the Australian Government with advice on a number of issues; including natural resource management and assisting Australian communities meet the challenges of food security, climate variability and maintaining the environment.
“The Australian Landcare Council is the government’s key advisory body on natural resource management and Landcare,” Minister Ludwig said.
“The council has an important communication role between the Landcare community, including farmers, volunteer groups and other land managers and the Australian Government.
“These groups play a major role in raising awareness, influencing farming and land management practices and delivering environmental outcomes across Australian landscapes.”
Minister Ludwig said the new appointees possess all the qualities necessary to carry out the functions of the council and promote community, industry and government partnerships in the management of natural resources.
Ms Jones is a Queensland ALP member of Parliament and Queensland Government Minister for Environment, Resource Management and Climate Change. Ms Jones is currently completing a Master of Environmental Law and is a member of the Ashgrove Climate Change Action Group and a number of other regional community committees.
Ms Jarvis is the current WA State Manager of MADEC Harvest Labour Services, a community not-for-profit business providing training and services in regional areas. Ms Jarvis is an active member of her local community and was a WA finalist in the 2010 RIRDC Rural Women’s Award.
Ms Strong, from Jamberoo on the NSW South Coast, is the winner of the inaugural 2012 Bob Hawke Landcare Award. Ms Strong’s family milk over 500 cows on two farms, including Clover Hill Dairies, the 2010 National Landcare Woolworths Primary Producer of the Year.
Mr Archer, a Djungan Elder, is the coordinator of the Northern Gulf Indigenous Savannah Group, a Senior Lecturer of Cultural Awareness/Partnership Development and the Chairman of Nguddabul-gan Tribal Aboriginal Corporation.
Minister Ludwig said the government’s commitment to Landcare and natural resource management in Australia was further demonstrated in May 2012, with more than $2 billion funded to continue Caring for our Country until 2017–18.
“The government is committed to supporting the work of the Landcare community, which has made a vital contribution to protecting and restoring Australia’s environment and improving the landscape for farmers over the past 20 years,” Minister Ludwig said.
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