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Overseas Agricultural Staff Profiles
Dr Linda Corner
Counsellor (Agriculture) — Bangkok
Dr Linda Corner was appointed Counsellor (Agriculture) in Bangkok in 2006. The Bangkok office was opened in January, 2006 as part of the Australian Government’s election commitment for an International Food and Agriculture Service.
Dr Corner is a veterinarian with post-graduate qualifications in Epidemiology and a PhD in Molecular Virology. She has worked in various sections of the department, in particular the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service and Biosecurity Australia, and has been a Department Liaison Officer and an Adviser to former Ministers of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry. Dr Corner has also worked as a Veterinary Counsellor based at the Australian Embassy in Brussels and dealt with the portfolio’s interests in the European Union, Eastern Europe, North Africa and Russia.
Dr Corner reports on agricultural policies in the Association of South-East Asian Nations’ countries, in order for Australia to react quickly to any changes in policy or administrative procedures, which are likely to have negative implications for our export markets. Dr Corner seeks to promote mutual understanding on issues of quarantine and food safety, negotiate new import/export protocols and to provide technical expertise to resolve any impediments to the successful entry into and maintenance of export markets, including Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Philippines and Indonesia.
Contact email: Linda.Corner@dfat.gov.au
Phone: +66 2 344 6511
Dr Peter Hewitt
Counsellor (Agriculture - Technical) — Beijing
Dr Peter Hewitt was appointed Counsellor (Agriculture) in Beijing in 2006.
Dr Hewitt is a veterinarian, with a degree in business (information systems) and post graduate qualifications in Epidemiology. He has worked in various sections of the department, in particular the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service and Biosecurity Australia, where his background in animal and biological quarantine policy issues has been most valuable.
A key focus of Dr Hewitt’s work is on technical market access issues, increasing Australia's interest in China and pursuing Australia’s trade policy objectives on agri-food related issues. Dr Hewitt provides input and helps facilitate the many bilateral discussions and visits within this region. He works closely with the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the China-based offices of Austrade, and Australian agricultural industry groups.
Contact email: Peter.Hewitt@dfat.gov.au
Phone: +86 10 5140 4155
Fax: +86 10 6532 5779
Australian Embassy, China (People's Republic of)
Mr Vincent Hudson
Counsellor (Agriculture – Policy) — Beijing
Mr Vincent Hudson was appointed Counsellor (Agriculture – Policy) in Beijing in March 2006.
Mr Hudson has tertiary qualifications in Arts (Political Science) and Science (Agro ecology) and has undertaken the Australian Rural Leadership Program. Prior to his appointment, Mr Hudson worked as the Manager of the North Asia Section, International Division, at the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. Since 2000, he has worked on a range of trade policy and international issues covering Europe, North America and North Asia, and for the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Mr Hudson was a member of the agriculture negotiating team for the Australia United States Free Trade Agreement.
Mr Hudson’s key priority is to improve market access conditions for portfolio industries and through supporting Australia’s efforts in the Free Trade Agreement negotiations with China.
Contact email: Vincent.Hudson@dfat.gov.au
Phone: +86 10 5140 4212
Fax: +86 10 6532 5779
Australian Embassy, China (People's Republic of)
Mr Matt Koval
Minister-Counsellor (Agriculture) — Brussels
Mr Matt Koval was appointed Minister-Counsellor (Agriculture) Brussels in 2008.
Mr Koval has tertiary qualifications in science, public administration and applied finance and investments. Prior to his appointment he was the General Manager of the Drought and Exceptional Circumstances Branch of the Rural Policy and Innovation Division and has extensive experience in drought policy, rural adjustment policy, responding to natural disasters and farmer education and training. Mr Koval has worked in the department for the last nine years.
Key areas of focus for Mr Koval involve maintaining and improving market access for Australia's agriculture, fisheries, forestry and food exports to the European Union (EU). In particular, Mr Koval provides analysis, reporting and advocacy on European agricultural policies and trade issues, including the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy; the use of export subsidies by the EU; the EU sugar regime and wine industry arrangements; the development of forest accreditation systems; and ensuring the smooth functioning of tariff quota arrangements which affect Australian exports of dairy, beef and sheep-meat products.
Contact email: Matthew.Koval@dfat.gov.au
Phone: +322 286 0513
Fax: +322 230 6802
Australian Embassy to Belgium and Luxembourg and Australian Mission to the European Union
Dr Allen Bryce
Counsellor (Agriculture) — Brussels
Dr Allen Bryce took up the role of Counsellor (Agriculture) in Brussels in July 2007.
Dr Bryce is a veterinarian with postgraduate qualifications in veterinary epidemiology, public sector executive management and Indonesian studies. He has worked in animal health program management for governments in Australia and New Zealand. In the Northern Territory of Australia, as Chief Veterinary Officer, he was responsible for all livestock health and meat industries programs for the Territory, including the eradication of bovine tuberculosis, and as Chief Quarantine Officer (Animals), he had oversight of certification of live cattle for export. In New Zealand, as National Manager for Surveillance and Response, he managed surveillance, preparedness and response programs for animal diseases and invasive species. In the Office of the Australian Chief Veterinary Officer, he managed projects and developed policy relating to emergency animal disease preparedness and response. Dr Bryce has served on national and international committees dealing with animal welfare, emergency management, food safety, veterinary professional standards, veterinary drugs regulation, genetic manipulation and animal health certification.
Dr Bryce’s role is to build and improve relationships between Australia and Europe in relation to trade in agricultural products, to negotiate with the European Union (EU) and with European countries on technical and regulatory issues affecting that trade, and to monitor and report on developments in Europe that could affect Australian trade to the region. His responsibilities cover the 27 EU member states and non-EU European countries including Switzerland, Norway, Turkey and Russia.
Contact email: Allen.Bryce@dfat.gov.au
Phone: +322 286 0581
Fax: +322 231 0753
Australian Embassy to Belgium and Luxembourg and Australian Mission to the European Union
Dr Joffrid Mackett
Consul-Agriculture (Middle East) - Dubai
Dr Joffrid Mackett was appointed Agriculture Consul (Middle East) in Dubai in 2008.
Dr Mackett is a veterinarian, with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science degree and a Masters of Clinical Epidemiology. He has previously worked as a Veterinary Officer for the Northern Territory Government in Alice Springs and as a District Veterinarian for the New South Wales Rural Lands Protection Board in Tenterfield.
Over the last 5 years, Dr Mackett has worked for the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) in the Animal Product Market Access and the Live Animal Export programs.
Dr Mackett represents Australia on policy and technical issues relating to agricultural exports and works closely with government agencies and agricultural and industry groups in the region to build and maintain strong bilateral relations.
Dr Mackett’s work covers 13 countries including those in the Gulf, North Africa and Red Sea areas.
Contact email: Joffrid.Mackett@daff.gov.au
Phone: +971 4 508 7187
Fax: +971 4 355 0719
Australian Consulate-General in Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Dr John Ackerman
Counsellor (Agriculture) - Jakarta
Dr John Ackerman was appointed Counsellor (Agriculture) in Jakarta in 2006. The Jakarta office was opened in December 2006, as part of the Australian Government’s budget initiative to fight illegal foreign fishing.
Dr Ackerman is a research scientist with honours in tropical marine ecology and a PhD in fisheries biology. He has led marine research projects in Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Belize and Mexico, assessing ecosystem-based management approaches. Dr Ackerman has provided scientific and policy advice for the sustainable harvest of state and Commonwealth fisheries through work in state government research institutes and the Fisheries and Marine Science Program within the Bureau of Rural Sciences. As part of the Australian Government response to the Indian Ocean tsunami relief effort, Dr Ackerman was based in the affected region immediately after the disaster. During this time he was instrumental in coordinating, developing, and progressing rehabilitation activities for the fisheries and aquaculture sectors damaged by the Indian Ocean tsunami.
Dr Ackerman is responsible for illegal fishing, biosecurity and quarantine issues with Indonesia, an integral part of the government’s ‘Security borders against illegal foreign fishing – enhanced regional engagement program’. He will also advance broader agricultural food, fisheries and forestry interests in the South-East Asian region.
Contact email: John.Ackerman@dfat.gov.au
Phone: +62 21 2550 5455
Fax: +6221 2550 5504
Dr Paul Vitolovich
Counsellor (Agriculture) - Moscow
Short Term Mission
Dr Paul Vitolovich was appointed as the Counsellor (Agriculture) in Moscow in October 2008.
Dr Vitolovich is a veterinarian and has postgraduate qualifications in meat technology. In the past 20 years, he has worked extensively on bilateral and multilateral trade negotiations, trade rules, quarantine, and technical market access issues. He has also managed the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry’s World Trade Organisation Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) dispute settlement process and the SPS policy area. He has extensive industry contacts with a range of commodities, including red meat and kangaroo.
Dr Vitolovich’s role is to build and improve relationships between Australia and Russia in relation to agriculture and food.
Contact email: Paul.Vitolovich@dfat.gov.au
Phone: +7 495 232 3292
Fax: +7 495 956 6710
Mr David Ingham
Counsellor (Agriculture) — New Delhi
Mr David Ingham was appointed Counsellor (Agriculture) in New Delhi in 2006. This office was opened in January, 2006 to fulfil the Australian Government’s election commitment for an International Food and Agriculture Service.
Mr Ingham has previously worked in the International Division of the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, on Australia’s bilateral agricultural trade relationship as well as with economic and tax policy. Mr Ingham has also worked at the Australian Government Department of Finance and Administration.
Mr Ingham seeks to enhance market access for Australian agriculture and food products in India, through improved cooperation and communication with Indian industry and government agencies.
Contact email: David.Ingham@dfat.gov.au
Phone: +91 11 4149 4354
Australian High Commission, India
Mr Simon Smalley
Minister-Counsellor (Agriculture) — Paris OECD
Mr Simon Smalley was appointed Minister Counsellor (Agriculture) Paris in 2008.
Mr Smalley holds a Bachelor of Science and an Executive Masters in Public Administration. He has held a number of positions with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, including General Manager Water Reform. Mr Smalley has extensive experience in policy and program development particularly in relation to natural resource management. He has developed policy across Australian Government portfolios including Environment and the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
Mr Smalley will work to promote Australia’s interests in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The OECD is a key international organisation, which scrutinises government policies including those related to food, agriculture and fisheries. Mr Smalley is also Australia’s representative to other international industry bodies such as the International Sugar Organisation, the International Grains Council and the International Organisation for Vine and Wine, as well as being bilaterally accredited to France.
Contact email: Simon.Smalley@dfat.gov.au
Phone: +331 4059 3370
Fax: +331 4059 3394
Australian Delegation to OECD, France
Ms Fiona Bartlett
Counsellor (Agriculture) — Rome
Ms Fiona Bartlett was appointed Counsellor (Agriculture) in Rome in January 2008.
Ms Bartlett has tertiary qualifications in economics and public administration and has worked in the department for thirteen years.
Ms Bartlett has a background in domestic agricultural policies including reform of the wool, wheat and dairy industries. Before her appointment, Ms Bartlett worked on water policy, including the development of the National Water Initiative and the $10 billion National Plan for Water Security, both within the department and in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and the then Department of Environment and Water Resources.
Ms Bartlett represents Australia’s interests at the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). As Australia’s Permanent Representative to the FAO Ms Bartlett informs the organisation of Australia’s priorities on agriculture and food issues, such as standard-setting and regulatory work including the Codex Alimentarius Commission, the International Plant Protection Commission, the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, as well as on fisheries and forestry issues. She represents Australia’s interests in the major FAO governance and policy committee negotiations.
Ms Bartlett also represents Australia’s interest in bilateral engagements with Italy.
Contact email: Fiona.Bartlett@dfat.gov.au
Phone: +3906 8527 2376
Fax: +3906 8527 2346
Mrs Paula Svarcas
Counsellor (Agriculture) — Seoul
Paula Svarcas was appointed Counsellor (Agriculture) in Seoul in December 2006.
Mrs Svarcas has tertiary qualifications in Management (Public Policy). Prior to her appointment, Mrs Svarcas worked as the Executive Officer for the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS), providing high-level policy advice to the AQIS Executive Director. Mrs Svarcas’ Australian Public Service career has focused on the provision of policy advice and strategic planning. She has worked in quarantine and biosecurity operations and on policy and government relations issues, including as a Departmental Liaison Officer in the Office of the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
A key focus of Mrs Svarcas’ work is to improve market access for portfolio industries and to increase Australia’s agricultural trade interests in Korea and Taiwan.
Contact email: Paula.Svarcas@dfat.gov.au
Phone: +822 2003 0188
Fax: +822 722 6491
Australian Embassy, Korea (Republic of)
Ms Sally Standen
Minister-Counsellor (Agriculture) — Tokyo
Ms Sally Standen was appointed Minister Counsellor (Agriculture) in Tokyo in 2008.
Ms Standen has an Executive Masters in Public Administration as well as a Bachelor of Arts degree. Before her appointment she was the General Manager of the Animal Welfare Branch and has extensive experience in animal and plant health policy and agricultural industry policy; particularly meat, wool and dairy. Ms Standen has worked in the Department for the past 12 years.
Priorities for Ms Standen in Japan include maintaining and improving market access for Australia's agriculture, fisheries, forestry and food exports. Ms Standen is responsible for analysing and reporting on Japanese agricultural policies and trade issues, and advocating for Australian interests. A key focus for Ms Standen is to support Australia’s efforts in negotiating a Free Trade Agreement with Japan.
Contact email: Sally.Standen@dfat.gov.au
Phone: +813 5232 4021
Fax: +813 5232 4029
Mr Andre Mayne
Counsellor (Agriculture) — Tokyo
Mr Andre Mayne was appointed Counsellor (Agriculture) in Tokyo in August 2006.
Mr Mayne holds a Bachelor of Science (Forestry) degree and is currently undertaking studies to complete an Executive Masters in Public Administration at the Australian & New Zealand School of Government. He has worked broadly within the areas of agriculture and natural resource management at both state and Australian Government level. Mr Mayne has been responsible for advancing a number of Australian agricultural chemicals interests in a range of domestic and international chemicals management forums. His most recent duties involved strategic coordination of Australian Government interests in technical responses to emergency plant pests and associated impacts arising for domestic and international markets.
Mr Mayne is responsible for issues involving technical regulation of agricultural and food exports to Japan. He is working on addressing Sanitary and Phytosanitary barriers, in order to gain, improve and / or maintain access to the Japanese market.
Contact email: Andre.Mayne@dfat.gov.au
Phone: +813 5232 4027
Fax: +813 5232 4029
Mr Dean Merrilees
Minister-Counsellor (Agriculture) — Washington
Mr Dean Merrilees was appointed Minister (Agriculture) in Washington in March 2006.
Mr Merrilees has an Advanced Diploma in Business Administration. He was previously General Manager of Animal and Plant Health Policy within the Product Integrity, Animal and Plant Health Division in the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, where his major responsibility encompassed the management of government strategic policy and program administration relating to animal, aquatic animal and plant health issues including animal welfare. Mr Merrilees is the government representative for Plant Health Australia and the National Consultative Committee for Animal Welfare.
Mr Merrilees seeks to advance Australia’s agricultural trade with the United States (US) of America, influence the development of US agricultural policy, build relations to advance common interests of both countries in international fora and support the implementation of the Australia-US Free Trade Agreement.
Contact email: Dean.Merrilees@daff.gov.au
Phone: +1202 797 3318
Fax: +1202 797 3049
Australian Embassy, United States of America
Dr Rob Williams
Counsellor (Agriculture) – Washington
Dr Rob Williams was appointed Counsellor (Agriculture) in Washington in June 2006.
Dr Williams is a veterinarian, having a Masters in Veterinary Public Health Management in addition to Bachelor of Science degree. Rob spent a number of years in private veterinary practice, and worked in the NSW Government animal health system as a district veterinarian on the South Coast.
Dr Williams has experience working in the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service assisting with the importation of biological goods including both veterinary products and human foods. In this role Dr Williams had significant input into operational policy on issues such as the importation of products during the 2001 Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak in the United Kingdom. Dr Williams recently worked in the Office of the Chief Veterinary Officer in the Disease Preparedness and International section and was responsible for case management obligations for the reporting of Emergency Animal Disease events and animal health status in general, primarily to the World Organization for Animal Health. Through his work in the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Dr Williams developed and maintained international relationships on animal health issues with quadrilateral country members (United States of America, Canada, New Zealand and Australia) and other countries including Indonesia and Malaysia.
Dr Williams is responsible for animal and public health issues related to the trade in animals and animal products from Australia to the United States of America, Canada and Mexico.
Contact email: Rob.Williams@dfat.gov.au
Phone: +1202 797 3319
Fax: +1202 797 3037