Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
The AFPA is made up of Australia's major fresh produce growers and suppliers, its eleven members collectively represent half of Australia’s sector’s turnover, $6 billion, a third of exports and employ over 20,000 FTE. Reporting to the CEO and Board, I manage policy development, stakeholder relations, and public engagement across diverse issues including workforce, sustainability, trade, competition, and more. This includes representing industry interests directly to federal and state ministers, government departments, and international partners, as well as parliament inquiries Key pieces of work include: - Authoring an industry White Paper that brought together policies and economic research on a range of priorities areas to drive action with demonstratable results. - Establishing the Parliamentary Friends of Fresh Produce and organised the launch of the White Paper by the Federal Agriculture Minister at its inaugural event, ensuring immediate traction with key stakeholders and bi-partisan support. - Successfully influencing key industry workforce policy and migration settings, including providing strategic advice and detailed policy input to the federal government on the reform of the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) Scheme. - Developing a Common Greenhouse Gas Accounting Framework for the industry to enable climate action policy - now referenced by government agencies. - Developing and executing a program of engagement activities to bolster industry relations with Japanese counterparts, fast-tracking market access outcomes and trade growth.
Advised and supported the Hon. Annastacia Palaszczuk MP, Queensland Premier and Minister for the Olympics, in the delivery of Government policies and priorities across a range of portfolios including health, public works, housing and supply-chain. • Drafted cabinet submissions and strategic policy briefings • Interrogated policy proposals to test assumptions, identify risks, and ensure alignment with government priorities; developed alternative policy options where gaps emerged and worked closely with senior officials and ministers to progress reforms in high-stakes, time-sensitive environments. • Worked under extreme pressure delivering time-critical advice and managing political risk.• Coordinated a whole-of-government approach to critical COVID-19 response priorities, including establishing cross-agency taskforces and protocols for border controls and the state-first trial of rapid antigen testing. • Supported the Premier’s communication by drafting letters, speaking points, and responses for a range of audiences and settings – media, public inquiries, Parliamentary Budget Estimates hearings, and Opposition scrutiny – ensuring consistency of messaging and alignment with government priorities under intense public and political pressure.
Led a team supporting the Deputy Secretary and worked across the Division contributing to transport network planning, policy and project delivery. • Directly contributed to major transport initiatives and infrastructure projects, including the Metro Tunnel, West Gate Tunnel and state-wide overhaul of train service timetable • Oversaw engagement with ministers and senior stakeholders, including coordinating policy development, budget preparation, business case input, and program evaluation. • Contributed to the department’s executive leadership agenda and governance functions.
Advised on project delivery, policy development, regulatory reform, and portfolio performance across multiple transport and industry sectors. Managed communications and stakeholder engagement for priority initiatives. • Played a key role in shaping Victoria’s 2021–2030 Road Safety Strategy, including contributing to policy design and stakeholder alignment across government and advocacy groups. • Led engagement with Mornington Peninsula Shire to successfully deliver the "Safer Speeds" trial in 2019, one of the first community-accepted low-speed zone pilots in the state. • Initiated the development of a closed-circuit trial to assess the impact of medicinal cannabis use on driving ability, informing national policy and regulatory considerations.
Led strategic communications and engagement across high-profile infrastructure and social policy projects, working closely with internal teams of varying expertise and skills. Built coalitions between Council, State Government, industry, and community stakeholders to enable public value outcomes. Authored and successfully progressed Council’s first Advocacy Priorities document, which included key outcomes like the redevelopment of St Kilda Pier, a community housing project on Marlborough Street, and construction of several bike lanes.
Supported the delivery of key initiatives and projects in this precinct including the Metro Tunnel Project. Key responsibilities and duties include: • Management of project communications with internal and external stakeholders, primarily the Melbourne Metro Rail Authority. • Preparation of briefings and reports on behalf of the Precinct Director and Project Manager. • Coordination of responses to technical documents from the City of Port Phillip to the Melbourne Metro Rail Authority. • Advise on and execute communications, advocacy and engagement activities. • Attend regular project and working group meetings as a representative of the City of Port Phillip Council. • Attend stakeholder meetings to advise on sensitive issues (on a case by case basis).
Working within the Community Engagement Team, I was charged to: • Develop and manage policy, planning and project implementation for managing relations between the City of Port Phillip and stakeholders. • Strengthen engagement and communications with key community groups and internal and external partners to support the achievement of Council’s strategic directions and service delivery. • Manage international relations and programs between City of Port Phillip and Obu City, Japan (Sister Council). • Manage the Small Poppy Neighbourhood Grants and Small Poppy Village Grants programs. * During this period I completed an overseas volunteer DFAT contract (see below)
As part of a DFAT funded program, I assisted the Industrial Enterprise Development Institute (IEDI) with their development in communication and networking. We created new opportunities for funding and organisational expansion. Major achievement: Established the marketing and communication department for a Nepali Government institute of 60 staff members. Collaborated with local colleagues to develop policies, procedures, and operational guidelines for the new department. After this, we worked to grow our stakeholder network and establish mutually beneficial partnerships with organisations, such as the U.N. Development Program, International Labour Organisation, and foreign government aid agencies. Other work: • Established and trained staff on strategic communication, marketing and engagement. • Managed stakeholders and networked with national and international agencies. • Supported and advised staff on organisational direction across all departments. • Advocated and wrote submissions for project funding.