Speakers
Hon Dr Steven Miles MP
Deputy Premier, Minister for State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning and Minister Assisting the Premier on Olympics Infrastructure
Steven Miles is Queensland’s Deputy Premier, Minister for State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning and Minister Assisting the Premier on Olympics Infrastructure.
Last term Steven served as Queensland’s Health Minister where he led the government’s response to the Coronavirus pandemic alongside Queensland’s Chief Health Officers Dr Jeanette Young and Dr John Gerrard.
Steven’s focus as Health Minister was disease prevention and to deliver better value for the state’s health investment. He has established Health and Wellbeing Queensland; a health promotion agency to tackle obesity and suicide, appointed the first ever Chief Indigenous Health Officer, as well as appointing a series of champions to deliver better value health care.
Before becoming Health Minister, Steven spent a busy three years as Environment Minister, where he passed laws to ban plastic shopping bags, make polluters pay for environmental damage, end sand mining on North Stradbroke Island and introduce a container refund scheme. He also led government efforts to address climate change and protect the Great Barrier Reef.
Hon David Littleproud MP
Member for Maranoa, Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia and Deputy Leader of the National Party
David Littleproud is the Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia sworn in on 2 July 2021. Since his election as the LNP Member for Maranoa in 2016 David has held several Ministerial positions.
David was first appointed to Federal Cabinet as the Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources from 20 December 2017 to 29 May 2019 followed by Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management being sworn in on 6 February 2020.. David was the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Drought Preparation and Response from 26 November 2018 to 25 January 2019 and 2 March 2019 to 29 May 2019.
Prior to entering politics, David worked in banking and finance roles and owned a small business working across southern Queensland.
Senator the Hon James McGrath
Senator for Queensland
James McGrath is a Senator for Queensland having been first elected in 2013. He is Chair of the Education and Employment Legislation Committee and Chair of the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters.
James’ previous roles have included Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister from 2015 to 2018, Assistant Minister for Immigration in 2016 and Assistant Minister for Regulatory Reform in 2017. Prior to entering Parliament James was a solicitor, ministerial advisor and held various roles within the campaign office of the Conservative Party of the UK including Deputy Campaign Director for the Boris Johnson London Mayoral Campaign in 2008
Mr Stephen Koukoulas
Managing Director - Market Economics & Economics Advisor to then Prime Minister Julia Gillard
Stephen Koukoulas is an economic visionary with a rare and specialised professional experience that spans over 25 years as an economist in government, as Global Head of economic and market research, a Chief Economist for two major banks and as economic advisor to the Prime Minister.
Few economists have both the global and local experience of Stephen Koukoulas. He is an economic thought leader in his role with his business, Market Economics.
Stephen is often driving the debate on housing, consumer spending, investment strategies, interest rates and budget policy. He does this by drawing on his unique background including his experience heading global research for TD in London, his role as Chief Economist of Citibank and Former Senior Economic Advisor to the Australian Prime Minister.
When it comes to the economy, Stephen continues to cover the big issues. He does so independently, without the constraints of many of the bank economists who are limited by what they can say. Stephen’s views are presented without fear or favour.
Stephen is the go-to economist for many businesses, investors, fund managers and the media. He is a regular contributor to Yahoo Finance and appears on television including the ABC, The Project and Sky and is regularly called upon to contribute to radio interviews across the country.
As a keynote speaker and panellist Stephen is asked to discuss the economy with audiences as diverse as the corporate world to school students – an affirmation of his ability to turn complex economic analysis into terms mere mortals can understand.
Mr Luke Myers
Communications and Engagement Strategist – Articulous Communications
With a proud track record of cutting through with precise strategy and dedicated delivery, Luke brings more than 20 years’ experience having worked in senior government and consultancy roles in Australia and the United Kingdom.
Highly regarded for his deep understanding of government, media and influencer groups, Luke works with clients to create engaging, compelling communication and engagement strategies and campaigns that ensure messages are delivered and heard.
Throughout his career Luke has worked for a diverse range of clients including global brands, start-ups, entrepreneurs, not-for-profits and everything in between.
Using his extensive corporate communications and public policy experience as well as his qualifications from the International Association of Public Participation he has led large senior public policy communication and engagement strategies in many sectors including agriculture, community and social services, education, energy, environment, health, housing, infrastructure, resources, transport and water.
Working across all levels of government he has been able to tackle complex issues such as neighbourhood planning, social policy reform, environmental mitigation, infrastructure delivery and construction scheduling and impact.
With a strong passion for encouraging people to showcase their credentials as responsible thought leaders, Luke is passionate about creating and maintain strong collaborative working relationships that foster innovation and deliver long lasting results.
Ms Alison Smith
Chief Executive Officer - LGAQ
As CEO, Alison is responsible for leading a diverse team of professionals as well as the commercial arm of LGAQ. The LGAQ has been advising, supporting and representing local councils since 1896, enabling them to improve their operations and strengthen relationships with their communities.
Between 2007-2020, Alison has worked with ASX-100 companies, heading their corporate affairs functions. Alison was Group Executive External Affairs at The Star Entertainment Group, and previously held media and corporate affairs roles at Rio Tinto’s coal and uranium businesses in Australia, Africa, and Canada.
Alison has worked in the public and private sectors in ICT, transport, energy, police, and corrective services. She also spent 14 years as a journalist, working in newspapers, radio, and television, before being a senior media advisor in the Queensland Government for two terms.
Alison’s current external appointments are Chair of the Brisbane Festival board, and Vice President of the Queensland Futures Institute Corporate Affairs Council.
Mr Tony Goode
Workforce Executive – LGAQ
Tony has worked at LGAQ for 19 years as a General Manager and Workforce Executive, where his skills as one of Local Government’s prominent IR experts has contributed to many state-wide reform programs as well as direct IR advice and support to member Councils.
In addition to this, Tony is LGAQ’s Team Leader on First Nations Policy where he has been instrumental in establishing the Indigenous Leaders Forum and shaping policy and programs to promote and improve outcomes for LGAQ’s First Nations members.
Prior to his executive position at LGAQ, for six years Tony was Human Resources Director at the Department of Natural Resources.
Tony has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Industrial Relations from the University of Queensland.
Mr Tony Wood AM
Energy and Climate Change Program Director – Grattan Institute
Tony has been Director of the Energy Program at the Grattan Institute since 2011 after 14 years working at Origin Energy in senior executive roles.
From 2009 to 2014 he was also Program Director of Clean Energy Projects at the Clinton Foundation, advising governments in the Asia-Pacific region on effective deployment of large-scale, low-emission energy technologies. In 2008, he was seconded to provide an industry perspective to the first Garnaut climate change review.
In January 2018, Tony was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia in recognition of his significant service to conservation and the environment, particularly in the areas of energy policy, climate change and sustainability. In October 2019, Tony was elected as a Fellow to the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering.
Mr James Whitelaw
Managing Director – Trilogy Care
James founded Trilogy Care to assist people everywhere in Australia to self-manage their Home Care Package and experience the benefits that his family have received over the past two years.
He has been an accountant for 30 years in private practice assisting people to manage their financial affairs and providing accountancy and business advisory services to corporations in a variety of industries.
Mr Brad Grieve
Community Engagement Manager – Mable
Brad is the Community Engagement Manager at Mable - a safeguarded online marketplace that helps connect people looking for support to live independently. I am accountable for the day to day operations for Queensland across the NDIS and aged care sectors.
Brad has spent the past decade working across mental health, disability and youth services enabling organisations to bridge the gap between ambitions and reality.
Ms Lesley Bryce
Founder - Bell Cares
Lesley Bryce founded Bell Cares to tackle the ongoing issue of older residents unable to access care in her community.
Bell Cares is a community based group supporting its local seniors to access aged care services in the small township of Bell in the foothills of the Bunya Mountains. Together with service partners Trilogy Care as its Service Provider and Mable to manage the workforce, Bell Cares is working beautifully in its small, rural community providing in home support services.
Mr Neil Glentworth
Chair - GWI
(virtual presentation)
Neil is passionate about productivity at a macro level and is an active advocate of economic growth and the creation of public and shareholder value. Neil is known for his no-nonsense advice with a focus on practical ways to leverage data for social and economic benefit.
Neil is the founder and chair of information and data management firm GWI, growing the business from his kitchen table into the respected national professional services company it is today.
As a passionate advocate for open and transparent government, Neil is a founding director of Community Data, a specialist in powering a more effective and accountable government. With his comprehensive understanding of data, Neil knows that assembling these into meaningful insights for decision making is a critical enabler for better government.
Working alongside all levels of industry and government, Neil has had a particular focus driving civic innovation and smart community strategies at the local government level, helping to grow Australia’s regional economies from the outback to the coast.
Neil is a trusted advisor with private sector organisations across multiple sectors throughout Australia, New Zealand, and Asia and is retained by several public and private entities in a governance function. Neil is often engaged to rectify challenged technology projects in the public eye.
Mr Nico Padovan PSM
Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer - National Recovery and Resilience Agency
(virtual presentation)
Nico is currently the Chief Operating Officer and Deputy CEO of the newly established National Recovery and Resilience Agency in the Prime Minister’s portfolio.
He has a key leadership role in ensuring the timely, effective and coordinated approach at a national level in assisting those impacted by a broad range of disasters, as well as ensuring they are better prepared to withstand future events.
He has held senior leadership roles across the Australian Government and prior to joining the public service served in the military as an engineering officer for sixteen years.
Nico has a keen interest in contributing to the future success of rural and regional Australia, and has a particular interest in Northern Australia.
Mr Brendan Moon
Queensland Reconstruction Authority (QRA)
Brendan Moon was appointed to the role of Chief Executive Officer of the Queensland Reconstruction Authority (QRA) in June 2016, after acting in the position since November 2015. Prior to this, he was Deputy Chief Executive Officer and has been at QRA since 2011 as General Manager, Operations. As Chief Executive Officer, Brendan leads the strategic direction of QRA, Queensland’s permanent disaster recovery organisation.
This includes the efficient and effective coordination of natural disaster reconstruction efforts across Queensland with administrative responsibility for more than $15.7 billion in restoration and recovery funding under the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA), Disaster Relief Funding Arrangements (DRFA) and the State Disaster Relief Arrangements.
He is also the State Recovery Policy and Planning Coordinator. This standing role’s purpose is to lead recovery planning, policy and recovery capability development to ensure better preparedness of government agencies and the community for recovery operations.
He is a regular contributor to national and international dialogue on disaster risk and resilience and has addressed the United Nations Office of Disaster Risk Reduction’s Asian Ministerial Conferences on multiple occasions.
Brendan previously held the role of General Manager, Environment, Biodiversity and Sustainability of Wyaralong Dam Alliance, responsible for the procurement and delivery of what was, at the time, the largest vegetation and carbon offset project in Queensland.
Ms Ann Leahy MP
Shadow Minister for Local Government, Disaster Recovery and Volunteers and the LNP Member for Warrego.
Ann Leahy is the Shadow Minister for Local Government, Disaster Recovery and Volunteers and the LNP Member for Warrego.
Ann was first elected to State Parliament in January 2015. She has been a member of several Parliamentary Committees including - Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources; Communities, Disability Services and Domestic & Family Violence Prevention.
Ann lists as her interests: Border Collie dogs being a member of the Queensland Working Sheep Dog Association, aviation being a pilot – a necessary skill to cover such a huge electorate, community service being an active member of several community groups in her home town of Roma, and politics!!
Ms Teri Sommerfield
2021 Queensland Rural Ambassador
Teri Sommerfield has been a part of the agricultural sector since before she could walk. Growing up on a rural cattle station located north west of Charleville, she has a passion and understanding for the beauty and challenges of Outback life.
Her love for the Outback drew her back to her home town of Charleville, where she has been the President of the local Performing Arts Committee for the last three consecutive years.
In 2021, Teri entered and won the Queensland Rural Ambassador role, which acknowledges the importance of young people in rural areas and their role in agricultural shows. Teri’s appointment as the Queensland Rural Ambassador recognises her continued involvement in shows, knowledge of current rural issues affecting rural areas of Queensland and her passion for rural agriculture. Teri’s goal for her tenure as Rural Ambassador is to continue to bridge the divide between rural and metropolitan areas of Queensland.
Mr Matthew Andrew
General Manager, Queensland Operations – Trade and Investment Queensland
Matthew Andrew was appointed General Manager, Queensland Operations in January 2020.
Matthew has more than 20 years’ experience in economic development for the Queensland Government, including roles with the Department of State Development and with the Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy. He has held senior and executive roles in investment attraction and led a number of initiatives to promote growth sectors in the Queensland economy, including food and agribusiness, manufacturing and biofutures.
Matthew also has an in-depth understanding of regional Queensland and the challenges and opportunities facing regional communities, having held the role of Executive Regional Director for north and central Queensland for the then Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning.
Prior to joining government, Matthew spent time in the private sector in the fields of market and advertising research.
Hon Catherine King MP
Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development
Catherine King was first elected to Federal Parliament in 2001 to represent the electorate of Ballarat. She was re-elected as member at subsequent Federal Elections in 2004, 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016 and 2019.
She has held several other Ministerial positions including: Minister for Regional Services, Local Communities and Territories and Minister for Road Safety, Minister for Regional Australia, Local Government and Territories, and Shadow Minister for Health in the Shadow Cabinet led by the Hon. Bill Shorten.
Following the 2019 election, Ms King was appointed to the role of Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development in the Shadow Cabinet.
She holds a Degree in Social Work and a Masters in Public Policy from the Australian National University and has recently completed a law degree from Deakin University. Ms King worked in the social welfare sector in Ballarat and later in the public sector in Canberra, as an assistant director for the Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care and then as a director.
Prior to entering Parliament she was a senior manager at KPMG’s Health Consulting Practice.
Senator Murray Watt
Shadow Minister for Northern Australia, Shadow Minister for Natural Disaster & Emergency Management and Shadow Minister for Queensland Resources, and Senator for Queensland
Murray is a born and raised Queenslander, and was taught to believe that everyone deserves a good education and fair treatment in life.
Murray’s entire working life has been spent as an advocate for others, having spent 20 years as a lawyer, a State MP and political advisor. He was elected as a Senator for Queensland in 2016.
Murray has been a long-term contributor to policy development in the ALP and the Queensland Government, especially in economic, education, health and legal policy.
During his time in the Senate, Murray has met with communities across Queensland and fought for them in Canberra. He has worked on multiple committees with a focus on health policy and delivered the Future of Work and Workers Report, proposing solutions as to where Australia’s jobs will be in the future and what work will look like.
He is currently serving as Labor’s Shadow Minister for Northern Australia and Shadow Minister for Disaster and Emergency Management. In January 2021, he was also appointed Shadow Minister for Queensland Resources.
Mr Stephen Moore AM
Principal, Client Division - Queensland Treasury Corporation
Stephen is Principal (Client Division) for the Queensland Treasury Corporation, but may be more familiar for his legendary Rugby career. He is Australia’s most capped Super Rugby player of all time and is second behind George Gregan for Test appearances in Australia. In 2019, Stephen was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in recognition of his “significant service to rugby union, and to charitable organisations”.
Not many people know that before Stephen embarked on a Wallabies career he was studying a Bachelor of Biomedical Science to become a Doctor. Stephen Graduated in 2006. Between 2012 and 2015, Stephen was awarded a Graduate Certificate in Change Management (GCCM) from the Australian Graduate School of Management.
In recent years, Stephen was a Board Member of Lifeline Canberra and an Associate at Quidini Advisory, a Non Executive Director at Heffron SMSF Solutions and the General Manager (Corporate and Commercial) at The North Australian Pastoral Company. These days Stephen is an Executive Ambassador for the Invictus Games, and on the Board of Directors for Ronald McDolad House South East Queensland.
Mr Liam Chambers
Partner - Gadens Property and Construction Group
Liam is a Partner in Gadens’ Property and Construction group. He advises private clients and public sector agencies on complex property, procurement and development matters, particularly where they relate to government transactions, industrial property and infrastructure projects.
Liam has advised public sector agencies on development transactions, State land issues and non-freehold tenures, and the procurement and delivery of tourism, health, transport, social housing, emergency services, water and port projects.
He has also advised the private sector on a diverse range of property transactions, management and investment arrangements, and development projects for retail, office, industrial, residential and infrastructure assets.
Dr John Gerrad
Queensland Chief Health Officer
BSc (Med) MB BS (Syd) MSc (Microbiology) DLSHTM DTM&H (Lon) FRACP
In December 2021, Dr Gerrard officially commence as Queensland’s Chief Health Officer.
Dr Gerrard completed his medical and specialist training in Sydney and London between 1980 and 1993 quickly becoming one of Australia’s leading infectious disease specialists. As a young doctor in 1993, Dr Gerrard rewrote Australia’s medical history by identifying the country’s earliest known case of AIDS.
Dr Gerrard moved to the Gold Coast in 1994 to take up the post of Director of Infectious Diseases at the Gold Coast Hospital. Like many other Australians, he first visited Queensland for Expo 88 and immediately fell in love with it.
The international threat of SARS in 2003 highlighted to Dr Gerrard the deficiencies in existing hospitals when it came to the risk of airborne infectious diseases. This led Dr Gerrard to help design the new Gold Coast University Hospital with the capacity to safely manage a pandemic such as COVID-19.
Throughout his time on the Gold Coast, he developed an international reputation for research in emerging infectious diseases and an organism called “Heterorhabditis gerrardi”, that glows in the dark, was named in his honour by American researchers in 2009. He is the only living Australian with a human pathogen named after him.
Since 2011 Dr Gerrard has been the principal investigator on a series of malaria vaccine trials in collaboration with Professor Michael Good from the Institute for Glycomics.
Ms Courtney Bylett
Owner - Charlottes Nest (Charleville)
Many would know Courtney through her local business Charlotte’s Nest however, this wonderful store is only one of the many strings she has to her impressive bow.
Courtney is also a flight nurse for the Royal Flying Doctor Service — a profession she feels lucky enough to have been involved in for several years, including the massive task of the COVID-19 vaccination rollout in the region.
After first opening its doors in September 2016, Charlotte’s Nest quickly out grew its premises on Alfred Street and in November 2018, a contract was signed on one of the oldest and most run down buildings in town. After a lot of TLC, new life was breathed into the old girl and Charlotte’s Nest was relocated to its current location 77-81 Galatea Street.
The ‘NEST,’ as it is often referred to by locals, serves a great cup of coffee, but more importantly specialises in an array of Giftware, Homewares, Adults and Children’s clothing. Charlottes Nest provides great boutique shopping but even better customer service.
Mr Max Jones
Property Developer - Downtown (Charleville)
Max Jones is not your ordinary property developer. Seven years ago, the then-farmer took a punt on swapping sheep for real estate purchasing his first commercial property in his hometown of Condobolin in central-west New South Wales.
His next development in Charleville will see a 2,800 square metre building in the centre of town turned into 11 commercial spaces and 15 residential properties.
He hopes it will rejuvenate Charleville, boost the spirits of drought-hardened locals, and encourage tourists to spend more time in the town.
Mr Jones says he chose Charleville for three reasons: passionate locals, supportive tradespeople, and a progressive council.
Mr Simon Terry
Cobbold Gorge Tours (Forsayth)
Cobbold Gorge sits on a 5,000 hectare privately-owned tourism lease, which has been excised from Howlong Station. Howlong Station is a privately-owned cattle property, which the Terry family have been grazing with Brahman cattle since 1964.
Simon Terry, who owns and operates the property with his wife Gaye and their family, moved here as a young child. He discovered the Gorge in the early 1990s. Cobbold Gorge Tours and Village started soon afterwards, and the Terry Family have been sharing their home and unique experiences with visitors, ever since then.
From the outset and through to this day, the main criterion of Cobbold Gorge Tours and Village is to ensure minimum environmental impact. In 2009, this commitment saw the creation of the 4,720 hectare Cobbold Gorge Nature Refuge and wildlife corridor.