Gifts and benefits

 

All agency heads are required to publicly disclose all gifts or benefits accepted and valued at over $AUD100.00 (excluding GST). Reporting gifts and benefits accepted by agency heads in the performance of official duties helps to maintain public confidence in the integrity of APS agencies and the APS more broadly.

In order to demonstrate the department’s commitment to meeting these expectations, all gifts and benefits accepted by the Secretary and Deputy Secretaries in the performance of their official duties are publicly reported.

Access to data

This reporting is updated each quarter with the information remaining available on the department’s website for 12 months from the date the gift or benefit was received. We also publish the register of gifts and benefits for each reporting period on data.gov.au.

Statement by the Secretary and Deputy Secretaries

In the course of undertaking my duties at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, I declare I received the following gifts and/or benefits, the value of which exceeds the stipulated threshold of $AUD100.00 (excluding GST).

Annual disclosure of airline lounge memberships (2024 – 2025)

ReceivedItemReceived byPresented byOccasionEstimated Value $A*
OngoingVirgin Beyond Lounge membershipMr Adam Fennessy PSMVirgin Australia AirlinesComplimentary airline membership> $100.00*
OngoingQantas Chairman Lounge membershipMr Adam Fennessy PSMQantas Airways LtdComplimentary airline membership> $100.00*
OngoingQantas Chairman Lounge membershipMs Tess BishopQantas Airways LtdComplimentary airline membership> $100.00*
OngoingVirgin Beyond Lounge membershipMs Tess BishopVirgin Australia AirlinesComplimentary airline membership> $100.00*
OngoingQantas Chairman Lounge membershipMs Justine Saunders APMQantas Airways LtdComplimentary airline membership> $100.00*
OngoingQantas Chairman Lounge membershipMr Matt LoweQantas Airways LtdComplimentary airline membership> $100.00*
OngoingQantas Chairman Lounge membershipMs Tina HutchisonQantas Airways LtdComplimentary airline membership> $100.00*

* The exact value of the airline membership has not been determined. The value is estimated to be more than the AUD100 reporting threshold.

Invitations to the Qantas Chairman’s lounge and Virgin Australia’s Beyond Lounge are at the discretion of Qantas and Virgin Airlines respectively.

Gifts and benefits register (1 April 2025 to 30 June 2025)

Date ReceivedItemReceived byPresented byOccasionEstimated Value $A*
06/06/2025BreakfastAdam Fennessy PSMHort InnovationHort Innovation Frontiers breakfastEstimate based on actual ticket price of comparable event

$125

Perfection Fresh Breakfast (Thursday):  Breakfast (with menu inclusions from Perfection Fresh), featuring a keynote speaker.

*Partnered by Perfection Fresh Australia
 
06/06/2025DinnerAdam Fennessy PSMAusVegHort Connections 2025 Gala DinnerEstimate based on actual ticket price of event

$260

Hort Connections Gala Dinner (Friday): Pre-dinner drinks, Horticulture Awards for Excellence presentations, 3-course meal, standard beverages included (wine, beer, soft drink).

*Partnered by Moffatt Fresh Produce
 

Gifts and benefits register (1 January 2025 to 31 March 2025)

Date ReceivedItemReceived byPresented byOccasionEstimated Value $A*
26/3/2025Ticket to CropLife Agricultural Industry Budget BreakfastAdam FennessyCropLife AustraliaCropLife Agricultural Industry Budget Breakfast$200
26/3/2025Ticket to CropLife Agricultural Industry Budget BreakfastTess BishopCropLife AustraliaCropLife Agricultural Industry Budget Breakfast$100

Gifts and benefits register (1 October 2024 to 31 December 2024)

ReceivedItemReceived byPresented byOccasionEstimated Value $A*
11/11/2024 Flight upgrade from economy to businessMr Matt LoweQantas Airways LtdBenefit is provided at the discretion of Qantas$643.79

Gifts and benefits register (1 July 2024 to 30 September 2024)

ReceivedItemReceived byPresented byOccasionEstimated Value $A*
01/07/2024Bottle of Dom Tapparo Engenho CachacaMs Tina HutchisonBrazil Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food SupplyGift$179.00
11/08/2024Flight upgrade from economy to businessMs Tina HutchisonQantas Airways LtdBenefit is provided at the discretion of Qantas$250.00
03/09/20242024 Melbourne Royal Show Season Membership TicketsMr Matt LoweChief Executive, Melbourne Royal ShowInvitation to attend event$190.00