Three members from the Australian and New Zealand food industry have been appointed to the Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) Board.
Parliamentary Secretary for Health, Catherine King, today appointed University of Sydney Physician Associate Professor Stephen Corbett, former head of the New Zealand Food Safety Authority, Andrew McKenzie, and Food Scientist Neil Walker to the Board.
Both McKenzie and Walker have taken up New Zealand-nominated positions on the Board.
King said the appointments were made in consultation with the Australia and New Zealand Food Regulation Ministerial Council.
“The appointees bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the positions,” she said.
“They will ensure the continued independence of the agency that develops food standards and joint codes of practice with industry on the content and labelling of food sold in Australia and New Zealand.”
King thanked outgoing members Associate Professor Peter Williams, Associate Professor Winsome Parnell and Dianne Yates for their contribution to the Board.
Professor Stephen Corbett
Prof Corbett has more than 20 years experience as a public and environmental health physician, with qualifications in public health and medicine. He is the director of the Centre for Population Health at the Sydney West Area Health Service, Conjoint Associate Professor, School of Public Health, University of Sydney and Western Clinical School, Westmead Hospital.
Andrew McKenzie
McKenzie led the New Zealand Food Safety Authority from its inception in 2002 until his retirement in 2010. He has expertise in domestic food safety policy and standards, including those related to and developed under the auspices of the Joint Food Standards Setting Treaty with Australia.
McKenzie holds qualifications in veterinary science and veterinary public health and has held a number of positions within the New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries including Chief Meat Veterinary Officer and Chief of the MAF Regulatory Authority.
Neil Walker
Walker is a food scientist with more than 35 years experience in senior roles in the New Zealand dairy industry. He has strong governance experience and is the chair of the dairy section of the New Zealand Institute of Food Science.
Walker is also a fifth term councillor on the Taranaki Regional Council. He has experience at both the local Government and community level and is a fellow of both the Institute of Chemistry and the Institute of the New Zealand Institute of Food Science and Technology.
Image: betterhealth.vic.gov.au