Marion Healy, who holds a PhD in molecular genetics and has over 20 years of experience in senior roles across government and industry, also played a leading role in establishing the office of the Independent Biosecurity Commissioner.
But any suggestion of impropriety in her appointment to the job was firmly dismissed by the NSW agriculture minister on Tuesday.Â
"She's an expert in the space," Tara Moriarty told a budget estimates hearing.
"I'm delighted that she is the first biosecurity commissioner in NSW."
As the state battles fire ants, avian viruses and bee-killing mites, the independent office was established to provide impartial advice to parliament and government on the state's near-$1 billion biosecurity program.
The five-year role is paid at the senior executive band-one level - between $201,350 to $287,200 full-time - although Dr Healy currently works three days a week.
She was appointed interim commissioner in June 2023, established the office and then joined the three-person panel set up to find her permanent replacement.
But candidates on a shortlist put forward weren't satisfactory, Ms Moriarty said.
A second recruitment round was then held at arm's length by a head-hunting firm, when Dr Healy put her hat in the ring before her appointment in July 2024.
Senior bureaucrat Sean Sloan, who chaired the first selection panel, said Dr Healy never raised an interest in the role with him.
Nationals MP Sam Farraway said Dr Healy was "probably an accomplished person" but the timeline and change of attitude "doesn't sit well with me, stakeholders or people in your agency who have approached me".
"How is it transparent that the person who set the role up, gets the role?" he asked.
But the minister pushed back, saying the government established the office as an election promise and Dr Healy merely provided advice on how to do that.
The process was "extremely transparent", she said.
"I'm really pleased with the outcome. She's going to do terrific work."
There is no suggestion Dr Healy is politically aligned.
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