ACCIAustralia Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Biography

Richard was elected ACCI's President in November 2011 and was appointed to ACCI's Board in 2003.

Managing Director of Martin & Pleasance Pty Ltd, a Melbourne based manufacturer, importer and exporter of natural medicines, Richard's skills and experience have been acquired over more than 30 years of driving successful business outcomes.

A successful Chief Executive with a global outlook and perspective, Richard has particular knowledge of the health and wellbeing products industry. As both a local manufacturer and importer, he also understands the challenges that excessive regulation poses for business. He also has first hand experience at opening up export markets for Australian products and the policies required to support Australian business to expand into global markets.

Other positions held:

• Chair of the Melbourne Awards

• Chair of BottleCycler Australia Pty Ltd Chair of Tripoint Marketing Pty Ltd

• Immediate Past President of the Victorian Employers' Chamber of Commerce and Industry

• Director - Australian Chamber Alliance (ACA)

• Board Member of Good Health New Zealand Ltd NZ

• Board Member of A.V Industries Pty Ltd

• Board Member of M. Webster Group Pty Ltd

Board & Policy Committee memberships:

Chair -Membership, Marketing & Communications Board Committee

Audit and Risk Committee

Biography

Peter was elected ACCI's Deputy President in November 2011. He was appointed to the ACCI Board in 2009.

Chair of Apollo Gas Pty Ltd, Peter is a successful and experienced Chairman and Chief Executive. A graduate of the Harvard Business School Advanced Management Program, his skills and experience is comprised of forty years as a Chemical Engineer driving the development and management of resources and energy projects in the West.

Peter has a comprehensive knowledge of the minerals and resources industry, how government policies impact the viability of projects and the issues which concern businesses operating in and around the sector.

Peter is the Immediate Past President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Western Australia and former Vice Chairman of the Australian Petroleum, Production and Exploration Association, Peter is also an accomplished industry advocate.

Other positions held:

• Chairman of MAK Industrial Water Systems Pty Ltd

• Chair of Equip Health Systems Pty Ltd

• Chair of Swan Gas Pty Ltd Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors

• Director of the Australian Chamber Alliance (ACA)

• Fellow of the Australian Institute of Chemical Engineers

• Chairman of Matrix Composites and Engineering Ltd 

• Non-Executive Director GR Engineering and Services Ltd

• Former Vice Chairman Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association.

Board & Policy Committee memberships: 

• Chair - Audit & Risk Board Committee

• Membership, Marketing and Communications Committee

Biography

David was appointed to ACCI's Board in December 2005, and is now its immediate past president.

His extensive skills and experience comprised an international career in business and the law including successful roles as a solicitor, senior executive, legal adviser, company director, company secretary and superannuation trustee.

Previously a solicitor at major law firms in Australia and the United Kingdom, David's corporate career included senior management roles at global corporations Placer Dome, Allied Mills, Goodman Fielder, Rothmans and British American Tobacco. His expertise spans a range of industry sectors including mining and minerals exploration; forestry and agribusiness; engineering; printing and fast-moving consumer goods.

Other positions held:

• Chair of ASSET Superannuation

• Past President of the New South Wales Business Chamber

• Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors

• Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Secretaries

• Member of the Queensland Floods Business Taskforce

• Chairman, Basin Communities Association

Board & Policy Committee memberships:

• Membership, Marketing & Communications Board Committee

• Audit & Risk Board Committee Committee

Biography

Other positions held: 

• Director of the International Chamber of Commerce Australia
• Chair of the National Business Action Fund
• Vice President of the Confederation of Asia Pacific Employers
• Board Member of the Australian Made, Australian Grown Campaign
• Member of the Governing Body of the International Labour Organisation (ILO)
• Global Employer Spokesperson on Freedom of Association (ILO)
• Member of the National Workplace Relations Consultative Council
• Delegate to the Business and Industry Advisory Committee (BIAC) to the OECD
• Delegate to the Confederation of Asian Chambers of Commerce and Industry
• Board Member of the International Institute for Labour Studies

Biography

Peter was appointed to ACCI's Board in November 2010.

An accomplished lawyer and company director, he is a Consultant with Cornwall Stodart Lawyers and a Director of the McMullin Group of Companies.

Peter has been at the heart of Victorian public, business, government and community affairs for more than a decade. He has held various metropolitan and regional leadership roles including Deputy Lord Mayor of the City of Melbourne and Mayor of the City of Greater Geelong.

Peter's  previous experience as Deputy Chair of the Museums Board of Victoria (2000-2010) and Chairman of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival (2000-2008) have also given him an understanding of the significant economic benefits delivered by the tourism industry to communities in metropolitan and regional Australia.

Between 2003-2010 he served as Vice President of the Victorian Employer's Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VECCI) and in 2003 was awarded the Centenary Medal.

Other positions held:

• Chairperson ACCI Trade and International Affairs Committee
• President of the Victorian Employer's Chamber of Commerce & Industry
• President - Geelong Art Gallery
• Board Member - Geelong Performing Arts Centre Trust
• Board Member National Portrait Gallery

Biography

Other positions held:

• Chairperson ACCI Workplace Policy Committee
• Chairperson ACCI Membership, Marketing and Communications Committee
• Non-executive director of Australian Finance Group Ltd
• Non-executive chairman of Breakaway Resources LTD
• Director and Vice President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of W.A.
• Deputy Chairman of Committee for Perth
• Chairman of Lotterywest
• Director of Barrington Consulting Pty Ltd

Biography

Stephen Cartwright is currently the Chief Executive Officer of the peak business organisation in NSW, the NSW Business Chamber. Stephen is also Chief Executive Officer of Australian Business Solutions Group and Chairman of Australian Business Lawyers, both wholly owned subsidiaries of NSW Business Chamber. Stephen became a member of the World Chambers Federation Council in January 2011 and a Director of the International Chamber of Commerce Australia in October 2011.

Stephen was formerly the Managing Director of listed recruitment firm Chandler Macleod Group Ltd (a company which he founded in 1995) and prior to that was a founding partner of specialist employment law firm Fisher Cartwright Berriman.  Stephen is a proven business builder, and is a dynamic and visionary leader with exceptional people skills.
 
Stephen holds an Associate Diploma of Mining Engineering and a Bachelor of Laws, and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Other positions held:

• Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors
• Chief Executive Officer of Australian Business Solutions Group
• Chairman of Australian Business Lawyers
• Member of the World Chambers Federation Council
• Director of International Chambers of Commerce Australia

Biography

Terry Wetherall was elected President of NSW Business Chamber in February 2012 and was Deputy President for two years prior to that.

Terry has over 25 years experience in providing a range of specialist town planning and property valuation services. Terry joined JBA Planning as a Partner in 2007, following the merger of JBA Planning with Terry's firm - TCW Consulting of Wollongong.

He has held numerous senior positions in the Illawarra, including President of the Wollongong Chamber of Commerce and President of the Illawarra Business Chamber.

He is a member of various professional associations, including the Australian Property Institute (API) and Planning Institute of Australia (PIA), Terry is a respected opinion leader within the property industry, particularly for his understanding of regional issues.

Terry is a Director of JBA Planning. He is a Justice of the Peace, a Certified Practising Planner and a Member of the Planning Institute of Australia.

He holds a Dilpoma in Urban & Regional Planning and an Associate Diploma in Valuation.

Other positions held:

• ACCI Chairperson Employment, Education and Training Committee
• Director of JBA Planning
• Justice of the Peace
• Member of the Planning Institute of Australia
• Member of the Australian Property Institute

Biography

Peter was Executive Chairman of Hansen Yuncken Pty Ltd from 2010 – 2012

After successfully completing three years of the Building Diploma course at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Peter joined Hansen Yuncken in Victoria in 1972 where he has held a number of senior positions in the company prior to his current retirement from the company after 40 years of service.

In his role as Chief Executive Officer, Peter oversaw the national strategic and focused growth of Hansen Yuncken, and has been instrumental in it achieving its status as a major national construction business.

He has been committed to further advancing Hansen Yuncken through ongoing training and recruitment of staff; further development of procedures and systems; maintaining a culture focused on client satisfaction and the ongoing development of building related services.

During his 17 years as CEO he was instrumental in growing the company to be the 27th largest national private company and the largest private commercial builder with a turnover of $1.2 billion and a balance sheet of $140 million. 

Peter has considerable industry experience having been involved in projects and operations across Australia. He has also contributed to the development of the construction industry through his involvement in a number of industry related associations. In 2008 he was made a life member of the South Australian Master Builders Association in recognition of service to the industry over many years.

Other positions held:

• Chairperson ACCI Small Business and Services Industries Committee
• Director United Super Pty Ltd (CBUS)
• Chairman CBUS Investment Committee
• Director & National President Master Builders Australia
• Director Mortow No 8 Pty Ltd
• Chairman Whitehall Flats Pty Ltd
• Life member of the South Australian Master Builders Association

Biography

Brett Moller is a partner of the Far North Queensland regional law firm, Marino Moller Lawyers.

His area of practice includes commercial work for property investors, business owners, landlords, tenants, rural clients, and community associations and the people and families of the regional centres of Far North Queensland. Brett currently serves as Chairman of the Queensland Government Owned Far North Queensland Ports Corporation.

He is also an inaugural committee member for Regional Development Australia – Far North Queensland and Torres Strait, where he serves as Chairman of the Corporate Governance, Planning and Compliance Sub – Committee.

Brett is a Director on the State Board of Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland, and serves as Chair of the Queensland Policy Board for Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland and Chair of its Far North Queensland Policy Council.

Other positions held:

• Chairperson ACCI Industry Policy and Environment Committee
• Board Director Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland
• Chair of the Queensland Policy Board for Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland
• Chair Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queenland Far North Queensland Policy Council

Biography

Other positions held:

• Chairman Apprenticeships Australia
• Director Industry Capability Network
• Director National Business Action Fund
• Member of the University of WA Business School Ambassadorial Council
• Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors

Biography

Mark Stone is the Chief Executive of VECCI, Victoria's most influential business representative organisation. Mark is a Director on the Board of Tourism Australia, an Australia Day Ambassador and Fellow of the Williamson Leadership program.
 

Prior to joining VECCI, Mark was the Chief Executive of Tourism Victoria. This followed a 12 year period as Chief Executive of Parks Victoria, which manages one fifth of Victoria's land area, employs 1200 staff and has a $4 billion asset base.
 

Biography

Chief Executive of 'Business SA' (South Australian Employers' Chamber of Commerce and Industry) South Australia's peak business and employer group.

In addition to being a board member of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Nigel is a board member of Cancer Council SA, the National Business Action Fund and CEDA SA. He is a Graduate and Fellow of the Australian  Institute of Company Directors.

Immediate past Chief Executive and Managing Partner of Minter Ellison Lawyers SA/NT. The firm grew under Nigel's leadership to be South Australia's largest, with a leading reputation, attracting national recognition and awards and establishing a dominant market position.

Nigel is also the immediate past Chairman of 'Advantage Adelaide'.  He has operated at top levels of business and government, and often provides input to other CEOs on the key strategic issues. He is a sought after speaker on business strategy, leadership and risk management.

Before private practice and leadership roles in Minter Ellison in Perth and then Adelaide/Darwin, Nigel was the Director, Legal Administration of the Health Department Western Australia, managing a large team with a wide range of responsibilities - from running the State's largest legislative development program to dealing with legal, policy, compliance, industrial relations and risk issues across one of the State's biggest and most complex industries.

Earlier in his career he worked in the finance and industrial relations sectors.

Other positions held:

• Board member of Cancer Council South Australia
• Board meber of  the National Business Action Fund
• Board member of  the Committee for Economic Development of Australia (South Australia)

   

Biography

Other positions held: 

• Director of the International Chamber of Commerce Australia
• Chair of the National Business Action Fund
• Vice President of the Confederation of Asia Pacific Employers
• Board Member of the Australian Made, Australian Grown Campaign
• Member of the Governing Body of the International Labour Organisation (ILO)
• Global Employer Spokesperson on Freedom of Association (ILO)
• Member of the National Workplace Relations Consultative Council
• Delegate to the Business and Industry Advisory Committee (BIAC) to the OECD
• Delegate to the Confederation of Asian Chambers of Commerce and Industry
• Board Member of the International Institute for Labour Studies

Biography

John joined ACCI in December 2012, as a senior executive within Australia's peak business council. As Chief Operating Officer (COO) he is responsible for strategic growth, development and implementation of ACCI's business model and service provision. He is also the National Campaign Director of the 'Small Business, Too Big to Ignore' (2BIG2IGNORE) campaign. For more information visit www.toobigtoignore.org.au.

Prior to joining ACCI, John worked in senior public affairs roles with experience in strategic and tactical communications, marketing, advertising and corporate fundraising. He has experience working as a political strategist and media advisor on both state and federal election campaigns and graduated from the Officer Training School in the Royal Australian Air Force.

John has recently completed part-time study for a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) at the Melbourne Business School.

John is a 3rd Dan Black Belt Instructor of Taekwondo and enjoys reading, cycling and listening to classical music.

Qualifications:

• Master of Business Administration (MBA) (Melbourne Business School)
• Bachelor of Arts (Political Science) (Melbourne University)

Biography

Greg is ACCI's most experienced economist with overall responsibility for leadership and management of economic and industry policy.

He joined ACCI in 2004 and has expertise and extensive experience in the public and private sectors. 

Greg's responsibilities and expertise are leading the Economics and Industry Policy Unit, which operates across a broad suite of policy portfolios, including economics, taxation, small business, energy, infrastructure and regulatory reform.

Greg and his team also provide policy advice and secretariat support to ACCI's Economics & Tax; Industry; Environment; Food and Small Business Policy Committees.

Skills and experience:

• Member of the Cooper Review expert panel into superannuation (2009-10)

• Member of the Commonwealth Government's Standard Reporting Board (2008 onwards)

• Immediate Past Chairman of the International Chamber of Commerce (2008 onwards)

• Member of the Commonwealth Government's Small Business Advisory Committee (June 2010 onwards)

Greg's experience in government includes previous roles with the Commonwealth Departments of Treasury and Finance and as Chief of Staff to a Commonwealth Government Minister. His private sector experience included a period in the investment banking sector where he specialised in the financial assessment and provision of funding for resources and infrastructure projects.

Greg was also Chief Executive of the Wool Council at a time when wool was Australia's largest commodity export.

Qualifications:

• Master of Commerce (University of Sydney)

• Bachelor of Economics (University of New South Wales)

Biography

Rozanne leads ACCI's Corporate Services Unit, acts as Company Secretary and provides support to ACCI's Board.

Her responsibilities and expertise are  ACCI's corporate management and operations.

Rozanne also manages ACCI's tri-annual General Council conferences.

Skills and experience:

• Corporate governance

• Financial Management

• Human Resources Management

• Risk Management

Other positions held:

• Secretary of International Chamber of Commerce (Australia)

• Secretary of National Business Action Fund

Professional memberships:

• Australian Institute of Company Directors

• National Institute of Accountants

Biography

Bryan leads ACCI's Trade and International Affairs Policy Unit.

His primary responsibility is policy development and advocacy in this vital area on behalf of ACCI's National Member Network. Bryan also plays a leading role in ACCI's global engagement activities as Chief Executive of ICC Australia, the Australian Branch of the International Chamber of Commerce.

Bryan also provides policy advice and secretariat support to ACCI's Trade and International Affairs Committee.

Skills and experience:

• International trade policy
• International climate change policy
• Natural resource management policy
• Agricultural industry development

Bryan has many years experience and a demonstrated record of achievement in industry advocacy, particularly in agriculture. His previous roles include Manager of Industry Development at the Grain Growers' Association and as a Director of Kealy Clark Pty Ltd.

Positions held:

• Chief Executive of the ICC Australia
• Member - Standards Australia's International Policy Advisory Committee
• Member - Standards Australia's Consumer Policy Committee (ISO COPOLCO Mirror Committee)
• Member - Australian Customs and Quarantine Inspection Service's National Consultative Committee

Biography

Biography

Jenny has been serving the business community for 28 years as a senior manager within industry associations, including 17 years as a CEO of associations largely in the services sector. 

Commencing with the Australian Hotels Association as their Industrial & Research Officer in 1984, Jenny then served as Project Manager at Tourism’s Industry Training Advisory Board in the early 1990s, working on projects relating to workplace reform, workplace assessment, competency standards, training accreditation and quality assurance. 

Jenny took on her first CEO role as head of Restaurant & Catering NSW, and then jointly held the national CEO role until 1999.  Then followed six years as CEO of Meetings & Events Australia, overseeing amongst other activities, a structured professional development and accreditation system.  In 2005, she became CEO of Nursery & Garden Industry Australia and in 2007, CEO of the National Tourism Alliance, which is the peak body for tourism associations nationally.  She commenced with ACCI in May 2011.

Biography

Leads the development and implementation of workplace policy, including workplace relations, OH&S, workers’ compensation and superannuation on behalf of ACCI’s national member network.

Daniel has managed policy and advocacy in workplace relations and legal affairs since he joined ACCI in 2006.

Daniel also appears as a national employer advocate before the Fair Work Commission, formerly Fair Work Australia (FWA) and before that the Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC), and has represented Australian employers at the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in Geneva.

Daniel’s expertise includes the areas of Industrial relations law, employment law, privacy law, human rights and equal opportunity law, administrative law and corporate law.

A former Associate to a member of the AIRC, Daniel was admitted to legal practice as a Barrister and Solicitor in 2003.

Daniel’s qualifications comprise Bachelor of Laws (Hons), Bachelor of Science and Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice.  He is a member of the Law Institute of Victoria.  He is a member of the National Workplace Relations Consultative Council (NWRCC).

Skills and experience:

•  Industrial relations law
•  Employment law
•  Privacy law
•  Human rights and equal opportunity law
•  Administrative law
•  Corporate law
   

Qualifications:

•  Bachelor of Laws (Hons)
•  Bachelor of Science
•  Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice
   

Professional Memberships:

 Law Institute of Victoria
 

Biography

Qualifications: 

• PhD International Business (Monash University, King's College London) 
• Bachelor of Business Marketing (Hons) (Monash University) 
• Bachelor of Arts (Marketing and German) (Monash University)

Biography

Carolyn has led the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation (WHS & C) team in ACCI's Workplace Policy Unit, since joining the organisation in mid 2010.

With a background of more than twenty years experience of WHS &C policy, advocacy and implementation; Carolyn's experience includes senior management roles in business and in academia.

Carolyn's responsibilities include the coordination and development of national policy responses to a range of WHS & C issues on behalf of ACCI's national network, including involvement and influence of the nationally harmonised WHS & C laws and regulations which are currently being developed and scheduled to be in place from early 2012. 

Skills and experience:

• Workplace, health,safety and worker's compensation policy

• Secretariat support for ACCI's OHS Working Party and NEOSHC Forum

• Representing ACCI's national network at various government and industry forums

• Mediation and alternative dispute resolution

• Chemistry and occupational hygiene

Professional memberships:

• Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI)

• Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists (AIOH)

• Association of Dispute Resolvers (LEADR)

Biography

A former Associate Lecturer in Economics at the University of Adelaide, Siwei is an economist who holds a PhD in Economics from the same institution.

Since joining ACCI in 2008, her responsibilities and expertise have been the management of ACCI's four quarterly business surveys which provide data and analysis on current Australian business conditions as well as analysis on various economic and industry policies.

Siwei's research and policy expertise also includes economics, applied time series analysis, monetary policy and fiscal policy, taxation, climate change, industry and small business policy and Asian economies.

Skills and experience:

• Economics and industry policy analysis

• Preparation of submissions including ACCI's pre-budget submission and various parliamentary inquiries

• Siwei's work has been published in the Journal of Asian Economies and the Australian National University Centre of Macroeconomic Analysis Working Paper Series. She is fluent in Mandarin, Cantonese and Malay.

Qualifications:

• PhD in Economics (University of Adelaide)

• Master of Social Sciences - Economics (National University of Singapore

Biography

Stephen has managed ACCI's Education and Training Advisor Network since joining the organisation in 2006 and assists in provision of secretariat support to ACCI's Employment, Education and Training Policy Committee.

His responsibility and expertise is the development of policies in response to a range of employment, education and training issues on behalf of ACCI's national member network.

Skills and experience:

• Vocational education and training

• Employment Services

• Language, literacy and numeracy development

• Skilled migration

• Disability employment

• Indigenous employment

Positions held:

• Member - National Training Statistics Committee

• Member - National Quality Council Framework Implementation Action Group

Biography

Burchell has been ACCI's Senior Economist since early 2009.

His responsibilities and expertise include monitoring, analysis and commentary on macroeconomic conditions, monetary policy, fiscal policy, tax reform proposals, industry policy and competition policy.

Burchell also produces regular Economic Policy Bulletins on major economic data releases and announcements by the Reserve Bank of Australia.

Skills and experience:

• Principal author of ACCI's Pre-Budget Submission (2010)

• Co-author of ACCI's Taxation Reform Blueprint

• Co-author of ACCI's submission to the Annual Minimum Wage Review (2010)

• Burchell commenced  his career in the Domestic Economy Division of the Commonwealth Treasury and has also gained experience working in the financial markets and the energy sector.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Economics (Australian National University)

• Bachelor of Laws (Australian National University)

Biography

Since joining ACCI in 2010, Cate has provided research, government relations and corporate affairs advice to ACCI's Economics and Industry Policy Unit and to the Office of the Chief Executive.

Her primary responsibilities and expertise are the provision of research support in economics and taxation, regulation, environment and small business policy. Cate also acts as Committees Secretary, overseeing the function of ACCI's Policy Committees in these policy areas.

Skills and experience:

• Parliamentary Governance and procedure

• Government relations and legislative affairs

• Committee Secretary - ACCI's Economics and Taxation Committee, Industry Committee, Environment Committee and the Small Business Committee

Positions held:

Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) Small Business Consultative Committee

Biography

Toula joined ACCI in July 1994 as Coordinator and then Manager of the Workplace, Health, Safety and Compensation (WHS & C) team within the Workplace Policy Unit until 1991.

After starting a family,Toula continues to play a key role in ACCI's advocacy on WHS & C policy as Advisor (part-time).

Toula is also a national employer advocate on workplace health and compensation matters in Safework Australia forums and groups.

Skills and experience:

• Preparation and coordination of Policy Briefs

• Coordinating the OHS and compensation policy activities

• Manage relationships with regulatory agencies as well as employer and employee advocates

• Human Resource Management

Between 2007-2009, Toula was also on the Judging Panel for the Safe Work Awards.

Professional Memberships:

Safety Institute of Australia