Department of Agriculture spent $99,000 hiring Catriona Rowntree to shoot video

NEARLY $100,000 has been splashed by the Department of Agriculture flying lifestyle TV presenter Catriona Rowntree on a Queensland “getaway” to shoot a biosecurity video, The Daily Telegraph can reveal.

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NEARLY $100,000 has been splashed by the Department of Agriculture flying lifestyle TV presenter Catriona Rowntree on a Queensland “getaway” to shoot a biosecurity video.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal Agriculture spent $99,000 hiring Rowntree to star in its new video, which was shot in Far North Queensland.

The Channel 9 Getaway presenter took the trip in May this year to film the video which the department says is “part of the government’s plan for stronger farmers, communities and a stronger economy”.

Locations included Cairns, Thursday Island and the northern tip of Cape York Peninsula.

Yesterday, Rowntree’s manager Sean Anderson said the sum included travel costs.

TV presenter Catriona Rowntree was recruited by Department of Agriculture to shoot a biosecurity video.

She took the trip to Far North Queensland in May. Picture: Sam Tabone/WireImage

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“The fee includes a large proportion of expenses covering Catriona’s travel. Catriona also needs to pay tax, agents’ fees,” Mr Anderson said.

“The fee was heavily reduced due to Catriona’s interest in the subject given the fact that her husband is a farmer where biosecurity affects their everyday life.

“The department wanted Catriona to front the campaign given her high profile and 22 years working in tourism.”

Rowntree deleted one of her social media posts promoting the trip after being contacted yesterday.

“The final product will be distributed to Tourist Information Centres across the Top End to increase understanding of key biosecurity risks among travellers,” a department spokesman said.

“Ms Rowntree’s selection for this role was based on a number of factors including her public profile as a presenter of travel programs as well as her advocacy work with Landcare and the Australian wool industry.”

She posted this picture about the biosecurity video, but it has since been deleted. Picture: Instagram/@catrionarowntree

A draft script from the video — yet to be released — reveals Rowntree will warn viewers about the dangers of “pests and diseases” entering Australia while standing in front of the Cairns waterfront.

“Exotic pests and diseases could put in jeopardy, Australia’s agricultural industries, the banana farmers, the mango growers, and it can affect us for a long, long time,” it says.

Dubbed Australia’s “most travelled woman”, Rowntree also has sponsorship deals with Clarins and Naturesway vitamins and describes herself as “a loyal brand ambassador” on her Instagram account.

Originally published as Department of Agriculture spent $99,000 hiring Catriona Rowntree to shoot video