The Minister for Agriculture has approved the inaugural Safe Food Victoria Board.
The Board will be led by experienced regulators Luke Wilson PSM as Chair and Fran Freeman as Deputy Chair.
Bringing Victoria's food regulatory bodies together into one authority, Safe Food Victoria will formally commence on 1 July, in accordance with the Safe Food Victoria Act 2026.
Serving as the inaugural Safe Food Victoria chairperson on the 7-person board, Mr Wilson brings extensive experience. He is the current Chairperson of Dairy Food Safety Victoria and of the North East Catchment Management Authority and sits on the board of the Game Management Authority. Mr Wilson also has extensive senior executive experience, including holding numerous deputy secretary positions in the Victorian Government, including in the agriculture portfolio, and having been Victoria's Cross Border Commissioner.
Deputy Chair Fran Freeman is the current Chairperson of PrimeSafe and a consultant for the Global Food Safety Initiative. She has a long and distinguished senior executive career with the Australian Government, including having oversight of Australia's food export and certification arrangements.
Agriculture Victoria Executive Director Trevor Pisciotta said the appointment of Mr Wilson, Ms Freeman and the rest of the board will ensure a smooth and stable start for Safe Food Victoria.
'The new board brings decades of regulation, food safety, public health and industry experience and understands what it takes to get Safe Food Victoria up and running quickly and effectively,' Dr Pisciotta said.
'Safe Food Victoria will report to the Minister for Agriculture and will create a simpler and more streamlined regulatory system.
'Having a one-stop-shop for food safety regulation will support industry with simpler processes and improving food safety for Victorians.'
This reform will align Victoria with Queensland and New South Wales and with arrangements in most countries with strong agri-food sectors in having a consolidated food safety regulator.
Both Mr Wilson and Ms Freeman will provide clear continuity of leadership during the transition to the new regulator.
Also appointed to serve on the new Safe Food Victoria board are Dr Kate Maxfield, Tania Luckin, John Merritt, Polly Bennett and Susan Lebish.
Members were appointed following an open and competitive process in late 2025 and comprise a valuable mix of regional, industry and food safety experts with significant regulatory experience.
Board members have been appointed until 30 June 2030, with the chair and deputy chair holding these roles until 30 June 2028.
