Gifts and benefits

The department is required to report all gifts or benefits accepted by our Secretary which are valued at over $100.

Regular reporting ensures our Secretary meets public expectations regarding public service integrity, accountability, independence, transparency, and professionalism.  

In order to demonstrate the department’s commitment to meeting these expectations, gifts and benefits received by Deputy Secretaries are also publicly reported.

Access to data

We update the gifts and benefits list each quarter or within 31 days of the Secretary and Deputy Secretaries receiving a gift or benefit. The information is available on the department’s website for 12 months. We also publish the register of gifts and benefits for each reporting period on data.gov.au.

Statement by the Secretary

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

Reporting of Gifts and Benefits – 1 January 2022 – 31 March 2022
Received Recorded Item Received by Presented by Occasion Estimated Value $A*
24/02/22 03/03/22 Publication - Australia's Nobel Laureates - State of our Innovation Nation: 2021 and beyond Mr Andrew Metcalfe AO Jim Eggleston, Co-founder One Mandate Group Publication was sent to the Secretary in post without prior approach
His Excellency Mr Yamagami		 $189.00
Reporting of Gifts and Benefits - 3 September 2021 – 31 December 2021
Received Recorded Item Received by Presented by Occasion Estimated Value $A*
- - - Mr Andrew Metcalfe AO - - Nil
Reporting of Gifts and Benefits - 4 March 2021 – 2 June 2021
Received Recorded Item Received by Presented by Occasion Estimated Value $A*
17/03/21 19/03/21 The Yamazaki Single Malt Japanese Whisky Distiller's Reserve Mr Andrew Metcalfe AO His Excellency Ambassador Yamagami Meet and greet with Ambassador to Japan.
His Excellency Mr Yamagami		 $149.00

*Wholesale value in country of origin or current market value in Australia

Statement by Deputy Secretaries

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

Gifts and Benefit Reporting – 1 January 2022– 31 March 2022
Received Recorded Item Received by Presented by Occasion Estimated value $A*
22/02/2022 26/04/2022 Dinner - Courgette Mr Andrew Tongue PSM Animal Health Australia AHA Board dinner $120.00
01/03/2022 26/04/2022 Dinner - Commonwealth Club Mr Andrew Tongue PSM Kearney Kearney Regional Chair visit $120.00
- - - Mr David Hazlehurst - - Nil
- - - Ms Rosemary Deininger - - Nil
- - - Ms Cindy Briscoe - - Nil
- - - Mr James Tregurtha - - Nil
- - - Mr Christopher Locke - - Nil

Gifts and Benefit Reporting - 1 January 2022 – 31 March 2022
Received Recorded Item Received by Presented by Occasion Estimated value $A*
- - - Ms Lyn O’Connell PSM - - Nil

Gifts and Benefit Reporting - 3 September 2021 – 31 December 2021
Received Recorded Item Received by Presented by Occasion Estimated value $A*
- - - Mr Andrew Tongue PSM - - Nil
- - - Mr David Hazlehurst - - Nil
- - - Ms Rosemary Deininger - - Nil
- - - Ms Cindy Briscoe - - Nil
- - - Mr James Tregurtha - - Nil
- - - Mr Christopher Locke - - Nil
- - - Ms Lyn O’Connell PSM - - Nil
Gifts and Benefit Reporting - 3 June 2021 – 2 September 2021
Received Recorded Item Received by Presented by Occasion Estimated value $A*
5/06/21 17/09/21 2 x Brumbies tickets and catering Mr Andrew Tongue PSM Vice Chancellor University of Canberra Networking opportunity $200.00

*Wholesale value in country of origin or current market value in Australia