Russell Harrison

Investigations & Regulatory Specialist

Greater Sydney Area

About

Russell has led compliance programs in a variety of government contexts as the Chief Investigator at the EPA and the Director of Compliance Operations at Primary Industries. His contemporary, risk based approach to regulation, combined with expert knowledge and proven leadership, ideally places him to deliver regulatory outcomes. In 2022 he completed a Churchill Fellowship, researching how the effective regulation of short term rental accommodation might contribute to housing affordability. Russell holds a Masters Degree in Public Administration, a Master of Arts (Investigation Management) and a Bachelor of Social Science Degree. He is a strategic thinker with an understanding of the political context within which compliance programs are developed and delivered. Integrity is the cornerstone of his leadership style. Russell is passionate about capacity building through training and influencing others. He is a qualified and experienced trainer.

Experience

  • Investigative Specialist at City of Sydney
    2017 - Present · 9 yrs 6 mos

    Responsible for driving the City's investigation and compliance processes, building capability to achieve positive outcomes in building, public health and environmental compliance.

  • Churchill Fellow 2019 at Winston Churchill Trust (Australia)
    Jul 2022 - Aug 2022 · 2 mos

    Visited San Francisco, New York, London, Amsterdam, Berlin, Paris and Barcelona to examine how the effective regulation of short term rental accommodation (STRA) might contribute to housing affordability.

  • Director Compliance, Monitoring & Investigations at NSW Department of Industry
    2009 - 2016 · 7 yrs

    Lead and direct the provision of state wide compliance services for Department of Primary Industries, Water.

  • Chief Investigator at Environment Protection Authority
    Jul 1999 - Jul 2009 · 10 yrs 1 mo

    Managed the Specialist Investigations Unit with state wide responsibility for the investigation of environmental incidents and the provision of investigations training to all compliance personnel. Founding member of AELERT, NSW Chair & Chair of of Wildlife Crimes Working. Representitive on Interpol Environmental Crimes Working Group.

  • Environmental Crimes Working Group at INTERPOL
    Jan 2006 - Jan 2008 · 2 yrs 1 mo