Appendix 1 Membership of the review panel
Sir Gustav Nossal AC CBE (Panel Chair) is an internationally distinguished research biologist and scientific expert, a Chief Scientist for a number of government agencies, a past president of the Australian Academy of Science, former Australian of the Year and also holds numerous international scientific awards and doctorates. Sir Gustav is a founding member of Foursight Associates, a company providing advice on research and development and science to companies, investment institutions, universities and government.
Mrs Christine Forster AM is a farmer in western Victoria and has extensive experience in regional development, rural adjustment issues, and resource management. She is currently a member of the Victorian Catchment Management Council and the Victorian Water Trust Advisory Council. She has been awarded the Centenary Medal and was inducted into the Victorian Honour Roll of Women. Christine has previously held positions on numerous agricultural and water resource related boards, advisory bodies, inquiries and reviews.
Mrs Merna Curnow has recognised expertise in agriculture, and is a partner in a grain and prime lamb enterprise in central Victoria. Merna has a background in education, is a graduate of the Australian Rural Leadership Program and in 2003 was awarded a Centenary Medal for services to the promotion and recognition of women in primary and rural industry. Merna is currently a Panel member of the Grains Research and Development Corporation. She has previously held positions as: chair, Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) Education Committee; chair, 'Partners in Grain' National Reference Group; vice president and member, VFF Grains Council; member, Northern Regional Forum; and member, Regional Assessment Panel of the North Central Catchment Management Authority.
Mrs Carolyn Tanner (co-opted Panel member) is an experienced agricultural economist with particular expertise in agricultural markets and trade policy. For over thirty years, she was a member of the Department of Agricultural Economics at the University of Sydney, teaching international trade and agricultural policy. She is a former editor of the Australian Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics and a past president of the Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society. She has undertaken reviews of quarantine policy and food safety for the Australian Government and served on government advisory councils for quarantine and export policy, natural resource management and World Trade Organization trade policy. In 2007, she was made a Distinguished Fellow of the Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society.
