- Respected agribusiness and policy professional Lisa Palu appointed to lead Safe Food Queensland board.
- Ms Palu's career spans several decades across agricultural, policy, and rural media and communications roles within industry and at a State and Commonwealth level.
- The Primary Industries Prosper 2050 blueprint is driving the Crisafulli Government's ambitious target to boost Queensland's primary production output to $30 billion by 2030.
The Crisafulli Government has announced the appointment of respected agribusiness, policy leader and farmer Lisa Palu as the head of Queensland's regulatory body for safe food.
Safe Food regulates the production of primary produce to ensure it is safe for human and animal consumption.
Lisa Palu brings several decades of experience in advocacy, policy and communications across state and Commonwealth governments, agriculture, science, and the resources sector.
Ms Palu steps into the leadership role as a full review of the Food Production Safety Act 2000 is underway, which will help ensure consumers have ongoing confidence that Queensland's fresh produce is of the highest standard, as well as integrating the new national horticulture food safety standard for berries, leafy vegetables and melons.
Ms Palu will also be tasked with ensuring the body balances being fit for purpose into the future, yet free of onerous red tape for food producers, noting the significant advancements in food production and sales over recent years.
The Crisafulli Government has set an ambitious target of increasing the value of primary production in Queensland to $30 billion by 2030, and more fit-for-purpose regulation and oversight will help industry strive to reach this goal.
Outgoing Chair, Libby Homer's tenure expired this week.
Minister for Primary Industries Tony Perrett said Ms Palu's diverse skills spanning grass roots farming and agricultural production, to policy and communications, made her the ideal leader to guide Safe Food through this period of change.
"Lisa has a lifelong passion for helping people understand and appreciate the dedication and effort Queensland farmers put in to grow and prepare safe, world class food," Minister Perrett said.
"I'm certain Lisa's unique combination of skills and experience will ensure growers and consumers will get the best outcomes as industry works through state and national regulatory changes.
"I acknowledge the service and achievements of long serving Safe Food Chair Libby Homer, who positioned the board for the commencement of the review through ten years of diligent service, and we wish her all the best in her future endeavors."
