Introducing the Inspector-General of Biosecurity
The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry appointed Dr Melissa McEwen as the Inspector-General of Biosecurity from 25 October 2025. This is a part-time position.
Dr Melissa McEwen is an experienced former executive with more than 14 years’ experience in the federal Senior Executive Service. She has led large organisations through periods of transformation, including most recently serving as Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA). She was formerly the First Assistant Secretary for Live Animal and Plant Exports and has held other senior roles spanning the Environment, Agriculture, and Education portfolios leading reform, stakeholder engagement and complex regulatory change.
Melissa is passionate about effective regulation and improving regulatory cultures. She has championed the development of regulatory training across the APS, working with the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet and the Australian Public Service Commission on its development and implementation.
Melissa has a PhD in history from the Australian National University. A Graduate of the Australian Institute of Companies Directors, she is currently a board member for Skate Australia.
History
The current Inspector-General of Biosecurity is the 4th since the Biosecurity Act 2015 has come into force on 16 June 2016 (Table 1).
| Name | Term |
|---|---|
| Dr Melissa McEwen (current office holder) | 25 October 2025 – 24 October 2030 |
| Dr Lloyd Klumpp | 25 July 2022 to 24 October 2025 |
| Mr Rob Delane | 25 July 2019 to 24 July 2022 |
| Dr Helen Scott-Orr | 25 July 2016 to 24 July 2019 |
The Interim Inspector-General of Biosecurity (Table 2) was a transitional role while the statutory office of the Inspector-General of Biosecurity was developed as part of the new biosecurity legislation, the Biosecurity Act 2015, which replaced the Quarantine Act 1908.
| Name | Term | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dr Michael Bond | 30 June 2013 to 29 April 2016 | Interim Inspector-General of Biosecurity pending creation of the statutory office under the Biosecurity Act 2015. |
| Dr Kevin Dunn | 1 June 2009 to 29 June 2013 | Interim Inspector-General of Biosecurity pending creation of the statutory office under the Biosecurity Act 2015. The role subsumed that of the Interim Inspector-General of Horse Importation and was recommended by Beale et al. (2008) in their review of Australia’s quarantine and biosecurity arrangements. |
| Dr Kevin Dunn | 11 September 2008 to 31 May 2009 | Interim Inspector-General of Horse Importation, established under the Quarantine Act 1908 following the Callinan inquiry into the outbreak of Equine Influenza in Australia in 2007. The Hon. Mr Ian Callinan AC delivered the final report to the Australian Government on 25 April 2008. |