Chair

Diane Smithe-GanderDiane Smith-Gander is non-executive director of AGL Energy Limited, Wesfarmers Limited, Chair of Safe Work Australia, a board member of Keystart Loans, Henry Davis York, Committee for Economic Development of Australia and immediate past President of Chief Executive Women. Ms Smith-Gander e has held a wide range of non-executive roles in the past including chairman of Broadspectrum, deputy chair of NBN Co, non-executive director of the CBH Group and commissioner of Tourism WA. Ms Smith-Gander’s last executive role was as a group executive at Westpac Banking Corporation. Prior to re-joining Westpac Ms Smith-Gander was a partner of McKinsey & Company in the United States serving clients in diverse industries globally. Ms Smith-Gander became a senior advisor to McKinsey in Australia in 2016. Ms Smith- Gander is a fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and Governance Institute of Australia and adjunct professor of Corporate Governance at University of Western Australia where she serves on the advisory board of the Business School.

Members – Commonwealth representative

Michelle BaxterMichelle Baxter has been the chief executive officer of Safe Work Australia since November 2014. Before her appointment Ms Baxter held senior roles across the Australian Public Service including as group manager in the former Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR), group manager responsible for agency change with the Fair Work Ombudsman and group manager, Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Taskforce with DEEWR. Ms Baxter is also a Commissioner of the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Council. Ms Baxter has a bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts from the Australian National University and is admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor in the Australian Capital Territory.

Members – state and territory representatives

Jim DoddsJim Dodds (WA) is the Director of Environmental Health at the Department of Health Western Australia in the Public Health Division. He is also a member of the Food Regulatory Standing Committee and a council member and executive member of the Environmental Health Standing Committee (enHealth). Mr Dodds is undertaking a Master of Health Science and holds a number of qualifications including a Graduate Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety and a Master of Engineering Science – Waste Management. Mr Dodds’ previous roles include project lead of a reform program in the Department of Health, Director of Strategy and Environment, chair of the enHealth Council and various roles in Shire Councils. Mr Dodds was previously the chair of the enHealth Council and has co-authored nine journal articles in the last 16 years.

Adnrew KeffordAndrew Kefford (ACT) (01 July to 8 August 2017) is the Head of  the Asbestos Response Taskforce for the Australian Capital Territory Government, which is responsible for the design and implementation of the ACT Government’s Loose Fill Asbestos Insulation Eradication Scheme. Mr Kefford’s previous roles include Deputy Director-General Workforce Capability and Governance in the Chief Minister and Treasury Directorate and the Australian Capital Territory Commissioner for Public Administration. Mr Kefford has also worked for the Commonwealth Government as a senior adviser (Cabinet) in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and as a senior adviser (government) to the Hon John Howard OM, AC in the Office of the Prime Minister.

Chris Reynolds (ACT) (31 October 2017 to 12 April 2018) has held a number of senior executive roles since joining the ACT Government in 2006. Mr Reynolds has had a range of responsibilities associated with the delivery of policy objectives associated with land release, sustainability and housing affordability. While Mr Reynolds was a member of Council, his role was within Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate to establish the business, governance and capability branch.

Julie NeilsenJulie Nielsen (Qld) is the executive director of Compliance and Business Engagement in the Office of Industrial Relations, Queensland Treasury. Ms Nielsen’s previous roles include Brisbane North Sunshine Coast regional director, Workplace Health and Safety Queensland, in the Department of Justice and Attorney General. Before joining the Queensland public service, Ms Nielsen worked at the Queensland Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Marnie WilliamsMarnie Williams (Vic) is the executive director of Health and Safety at the Victorian WorkCover Authority. Ms Williams’ previous roles include chief executive officer of the Taxi Services Commission; general manager of the Department of Transport, Planning and Local Infrastructure and various roles at the Victorian WorkCover Authority and Worksafe Victoria, including as general manager of the Strategic Programs Division and as a chemical technologist.

Member – employee representative

Michael BorowickMichael Borowick was elected as Assistant Secretary of the Australian Council of Trade Unions in 2010. Between 1990 and 2010 he held various elected and other positions in The Australian Workers’ Union and its predecessor organisations. Mr Borowick is on a number of boards including Safe Work Australia; the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission; the National Workplace Relations Consultative Council and the Defence Reserves Support Council. Mr Borowick is also a Director of HESTA, the industry superannuation fund for the health and community sector. HESTA has 834,000 members and $40 billion of funds under management.

Member – employer representative

Tracey BrowneTracey Browne has been manager, National Safety and Workers Compensation Policy and Membership Services, Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) since 2007. Between 2006 and 2007, Ms Browne was Ai Group’s national program manager, Small Business Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Advisers Program, and from 2001 to 2007 she was a principal adviser, Workers Compensation and OHS. Ms Browne’s former positions also include group manager, Health Safety and Environment, Bendix Mintex Pty Ltd; coordinator, Occupational Health and Safety/Personnel, ACI Glass Packaging; and senior consultant, Occupational Health and Safety, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu.

Other members

Carolyn DavisCarolyn Davis is an independent consultant and a former director of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI). Before joining ACCI, Ms Davis was a senior manager in various organisations and a consultant on occupational health and safety and workers’ compensation matters. Ms Davis has also lectured in occupational health and safety in chemistry. Ms Davis is a former member of Safe Work Australia and has been an ‘observer’ at council meetings since 2013. Ms Davis has a Bachelor of Science (Hons), an Education Diploma, a Graduate Diploma in Occupational Hygiene and is a member of Resolution Institute (alternative dispute resolution).

Nancy MilneNancy Milne OAM has extensive business experience as a non-executive director and lawyer and expertise in risk management. Ms Milne was a lawyer for over 30 years specialising in insurance, corporate governance, risk management and commercial dispute resolution. Ms Milne acted for the underfunded trust created by James Hardie before and during the Jackson Special Commission of Enquiry, acted in disputes involving asbestos claims and has advised on matters relating to insurance arrangements for asbestos liability coverage. Ms Milne is currently a director of ALC Property Group Limited, Securities Exchange Guarantee Corporation Limited (chair since 2012), Superannuation Administration Corporation and the State Insurance Regulatory Authority. Ms Milne was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for services to the legal sector (particularly in insurance law) and to the community.

Observers

Dr Robert WaltersDr Robert Walters is a general medical practitioner, part-time member of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal and Colonel in the Royal Australian Army Medical Corps. Dr Walters has been a general practice consultant to the Surgeon General, Australian Defence Force (ADF) since 1995 and has held positions in the ADF as a senior medical officer, director of medical services (Tasmania Region) and military compensation adviser for Tasmania. Dr Walters’ board memberships include chair, Ministerial Asbestos Steering Committee; medical member of WorkSafe Tasmania Board, Headspace; and chair of the General Practice Consultative Group, ADF. Dr Walters was also a state and territory representative on the first Asbestos Safety and Eradication Council, 2013 to 2016.

Vicki Hamilton OAM is the CEO and secretary of Asbestos Council of Victoria/Gippsland Asbestos Related Disease Support Inc. and has been an executive Member of the organisation since 2000. Ms Hamilton is the support group co-ordinator for asbestos sufferers and their families, which involves monthly meetings, home & hospital visits & provision of medical equipment as needed. Ms Hamilton conducts asbestos awareness sessions for medical students, TAFE students in trades, community organisations & work places. Ms Hamilton was awarded Citizen of the Year for Latrobe City in 2005 and an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in 2014 for her service to the community through support for people with asbestos-related disease. Ms Hamilton has had two family members pass away from asbestos-related disease.

Simone Stevenson was appointed as Executive Director of the Victorian Asbestos Eradication Agency in December 2016 bringing extensive experience in public policy, program implementation and stakeholder engagement in government, not-for-profit and private sectors. Ms Stevenson worked as Policy Adviser to a former Federal Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations including providing advice on the Federal Government response to the Asbestos Management Review 2012, the establishment of the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency and the development of the National Strategic Plan for Asbestos Management and Awareness. Ms Stevenson also worked in Global Partnerships and Advocacy for The Fred Hollows Foundation, as Chief of Staff to the Victorian Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Industrial Relations and Local Government, and Worksafe Victoria.