Rising Biosecurity Threats: Advancing Response Readiness
Tracks
Prince Room
| Tuesday, July 15, 2025 |
| 10:50 AM - 11:10 AM |
Overview
Dr Rachel Chay, Biosecurity Queensland
Details
Key Presentation Learnings:
1. Factors that are fuelling the rise in biosecurity risks and the far-reaching impacts of outbreaks.
2. Profiling immediate threats on our doorstep.
3. Insights into current biosecurity emergency response preparedness initiatives.
Speaker
Ms Jessica Jelliffe
Senior Engagement Officer
Biosecurity Queensland
Rising biosecurity threats: Advancing response readiness
Abstract
In recent years, biosecurity threats have escalated globally, posing significant risks to ecosystems, economies, and public health. This surge in threats is driven by a combination of factors, many of which are intensifying due to climate change, globalisation, and evolving human activities.
Australia, and Queensland more specifically, faces increasing vulnerability to these threats due to our unique biodiversity, geographic position, and a climate suitable for many plant and animal pests and diseases. As such, the need for robust biosecurity strategies and an agile incident response system has never been more critical to protect our industries, environment and way of life.
To adequately prepare for and respond to future biosecurity threats, organisations like Biosecurity Queensland are implementing a range of initiatives to enhance surveillance and detection systems, encourage research and innovation, build agile and resilient response mechanisms, support awareness-raising and engagement, and strengthen system-wide collaboration.
In this presentation, Queensland’s Chief Biosecurity Officer will highlight the factors fuelling biosecurity risks and their potential far-reaching impacts; profile some of the immediate threats on our doorstep; and provide insights into current preparedness initiatives to protect the State.
Biosecurity threats present a complex and evolving challenge for Queensland. Preparing now and advancing biosecurity response readiness will ensure that Queensland remains resilient and ready for the challenges of the future.
Australia, and Queensland more specifically, faces increasing vulnerability to these threats due to our unique biodiversity, geographic position, and a climate suitable for many plant and animal pests and diseases. As such, the need for robust biosecurity strategies and an agile incident response system has never been more critical to protect our industries, environment and way of life.
To adequately prepare for and respond to future biosecurity threats, organisations like Biosecurity Queensland are implementing a range of initiatives to enhance surveillance and detection systems, encourage research and innovation, build agile and resilient response mechanisms, support awareness-raising and engagement, and strengthen system-wide collaboration.
In this presentation, Queensland’s Chief Biosecurity Officer will highlight the factors fuelling biosecurity risks and their potential far-reaching impacts; profile some of the immediate threats on our doorstep; and provide insights into current preparedness initiatives to protect the State.
Biosecurity threats present a complex and evolving challenge for Queensland. Preparing now and advancing biosecurity response readiness will ensure that Queensland remains resilient and ready for the challenges of the future.
Biography
Dr Rachel Chay, Chief Biosecurity Officer
As Queensland’s Deputy Director-General and Chief Biosecurity Officer, Dr Rachel Chay leads Biosecurity Queensland’s efforts in preventing and responding to plant and animal pest and disease outbreaks.
Rachel is dedicated to ensuring Biosecurity Queensland continues to protect the ecosystems, industries and way of life in Queensland. She is committed to maintaining the State’s reputation for product safety and integrity, while securing ongoing market access for its commodities. Rachel continues to focus on building the understanding of the unique nature and impacts of biosecurity incidents across the emergency management system to enhance an all-hazard approach.
