Queensland Health confirmed on Monday that a senior official within its ranks is the daughter of an Iranian diplomat, following media reports that raised questions about potential conflicts of interest in her role overseeing public health policy and international health engagement.
The official, identified as Dr. Mitra Khosravi, serves as a director in Queensland Health’s International Health Unit, where she contributes to bilateral health cooperation programs and advises on pandemic preparedness strategies. Her position involves liaison with foreign health ministries and participation in multinational health forums, areas where her familial ties to Iran’s diplomatic service have prompted scrutiny.
Queensland Health stated that Dr. Khosravi’s appointment was made through standard merit-based processes and that her familial connections were disclosed during the vetting procedure. A spokesperson emphasized that all employees are required to declare potential conflicts of interest under the Queensland Public Service Act 2008, and that no breaches have been identified in her case.
“Dr. Khosravi’s qualifications and professional experience were the basis for her appointment,” the spokesperson said. “Her background in international health relations is an asset to the unit, and all necessary disclosures were made in accordance with government ethics guidelines.”
The revelation came after an investigative report by The Australian, which traced Dr. Khosravi’s familial connections to Iran’s diplomatic corps through publicly available records and professional profiles. The report noted that her father, Mohammad Khosravi, has served in senior roles within Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including postings to South Asian and Southeast Asian missions.
Queensland Health declined to comment on the specific nature of her father’s diplomatic role but affirmed that her work remains focused on technical health collaboration, such as disease surveillance, health workforce training, and emergency response coordination — areas deemed non-sensitive in terms of geopolitical risk.
Ethics experts noted that while familial ties to foreign diplomats do not automatically constitute a conflict of interest, transparency and oversight are critical in roles involving international engagement. Dr. Jennifer Moss, a public administration professor at the University of Queensland, said that disclosure alone is not sufficient without active monitoring.
“The key is whether the individual could be perceived as influenced by foreign interests in the performance of their duties,” Dr. Moss explained. “In health diplomacy, the risks are often lower than in defense or trade, but perceptions still matter, especially when dealing with nations subject to international sanctions or diplomatic tension.”
Queensland Health confirmed that Dr. Khosravi continues to perform her duties without restriction and that no formal inquiry has been launched into her conduct. The department reiterated its commitment to upholding integrity in public service through existing disclosure and oversight mechanisms.