That is a panoptes absolutely no doubt, i see them everyday and that is an absolute ringer for all the others i've seen. Must be an escaped pet... maybe?
My Grandfather took the pic.He often goes and takes photos of Wildlife but this was the first time he saw a Monitor like this.So it being an escaped pet is a possibility.It looks big and healthy so the climate must b good for it.
Mitch
I have seen one basically on the Qld border near texas/stanthorpe so i think it would be quite possible that they naturally occur in the area. Inverell is only about only about 150km south of the border and would probably be warmer than stanthorpe.
I think it would be less likely to be a captive animal, but it is definately possible.