8 Oct 2026
Business, government and industry leaders gathered in Toowoomba this morning for the latest Biosecurity in the Boardroom event, highlighting the growing importance of biosecurity risk management across Queensland's regional economies.
Hosted by the Queensland Farmers' Federation (QFF) in partnership with Biosecurity Queensland, the breakfast brought together leaders from agriculture, infrastructure, resources, professional services and government to examine how biosecurity risks can impact business operations, supply chains, workforce productivity and organisational reputation.
The event forms part of the Biosecurity in the Boardroom initiative, which is helping organisations across all sectors recognise biosecurity as a strategic business risk requiring the same level of leadership attention as workplace health and safety, cybersecurity and other governance priorities.
The program featured a keynote presentation from David Keir, CEO of Wagner Corporation, who outlined the company's approach to managing biosecurity obligations across its operations and the importance of embedding risk management into everyday business practices.
Mr Keir was joined by a panel of experts including Queensland Chief Biosecurity Officer Rachel Chay, Coexistence Queensland CEO and Queensland Land Access Ombudsman Warwick Squire, and Power Tynan CEO and Executive Director Amanda Kenafake.
Queensland Farmers' Federation CEO Kylie Porter said biosecurity needs to be a whole of business sector consideration and not just agriculture.
"Biosecurity is no longer an issue confined to agriculture. It is a business continuity, operational and reputational issue that can affect organisations across the entire economy.
"As Queensland businesses navigate an increasingly complex risk environment, i leaders need to understand how biosecurity breaches can threaten their livelihoods, supply chains and local economies and how better awareness and preparation mitigate those risks.
"Biosecurity in the Boardroom is about elevating the conversation beyond compliance and recognising biosecurity as a strategic business risk that belongs on every boardroom agenda."
Queensland Chief Biosecurity Officer Dr Rachel Chay said effective biosecurity outcomes relied on partnerships between government, industry and the broader business community.
"As biosecurity risks continue to evolve, it is important that organisations understand how they may be exposed and what actions they can take to help prevent, identify and respond to potential threats.
"Initiatives such as Biosecurity in the Boardroom help broaden awareness and ensure biosecurity considerations are embedded into business decision-making across Queensland."
Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise CEO Jo Sheppard said the region's economic diversity made biosecurity an issue for all businesses.
"The Toowoomba and Surat Basin region is one of Australia's most important economic zones, underpinned by multiple industries including agriculture, transport, logistics, energy, resources, manufacturing, health, education, tourism and defence.
"The strength of our regional economy relies on the resilience of these interconnected industries. A significant biosecurity incident has the potential to disrupt business activity, supply chains and investment across the region.
"It is so important that businesses of all sizes and from every industry understand biosecurity risks and manage the risk of biosecurity, just as they would other business risks such as workplace health and safety and cyber security."
The Biosecurity in the Boardroom initiative includes practical resources designed to help boards, executives and business leaders start conversations about biosecurity risk within their organisations.
For more information, visit www.qff.org.au
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Jak Kirwin, General Manager, Marketing and Communications
0488 305 106
comms@qff.org.au