Hello, my name is Rex Hoy and I am the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Safe Work Australia.

I am passionate about workplace safety and am excited to be in a position where I can promote this and persuade people to place safety at the top of their agendas.

At present, the main priority of Safe Work Australia is the harmonisation of the OHS legislation by December 2011.

I have worked for many years on occupational health and safety and workers’ compensation. My previous position as a Group Manager in Workplace Relations Policy in the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) enabled me to deal with policy on Commonwealth OHS and workers’ compensation.

I believe that if all Australians work together in concentrating on safety in their own workplaces then we will be able to reduce death, injury and disease.
Read full profile

Mr Jon Blackwell is Chief Executive Officer of WorkCover NSW, and has extensive experience in senior management of public health services. He was also a member of the Australian Safety and Compensation Council.

Mr Greg Tweedly was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Victorian  WorkCover Authority (VWA) in February 2003, after a promotion from Acting CEO in 2002. Prior to this, Greg worked for the VWA, and its predecessor the Accident Compensation Commission, in numerous senior positions including Chief Financial Officer and later Director where he was responsible for the regulation of the Victorian Workers Compensation system.

He has also held senior positions with the Transport Accident Commission, including Chief Operating Officer where he was responsible for all Claims Management functions.

Other positions Greg has held include senior financial positions at V/Line, Victoria’s largest regional public transport operator, and the Melbourne Metropolitan Board of Works.

Mr Barry Leahy is Deputy Director-General, Department of Justice and Attorney-General. This department has responsibility for workplace health and safety and workers’ compensation policy in Queensland. Mr Leahy was previously the Chief Executive Officer of Comcare and holds a Bachelor of Economics.
Read full profile

Ms Patterson has played a prominent role in occupational health and safety (OHS) in Australia at both State and National levels for over 25 years, representing two Australian states (New South Wales and South Australia), on various national boards and working parties on OHS standards and issues. Ms Patterson’s career in OHS commenced with her appointment in South Australia as the first female Inspector of Industrial Safety in the early 1980’s.
Since then, Ms Patterson has managed the OHS inspectorate in New South Wales and is currently Executive Director of SafeWork SA in South Australia, responsible for managing both the OHS and Industrial Relations Inspectors in that State.

Michele has recently been re-elected for a second three-year term, as President of the International Association of Labour Inspection (IALI) and was previously the Vice President from 2002.

Nina Lyhne is responsible for managing WorkSafe Western Australia. She is the WorkSafe Western Australia Commissioner and is a member of Western Australia's Commission for Occupational Safety and Health. She also chairs a number of the Commission’s advisory groups.

Nina is also a member of the Safe Work Australia Council and is involved in a number of national committees and forums.

Since 2000, Nina has played a key role in setting the strategic direction in policy and operations for occupational safety and health in Western Australia and Australia. She was first appointed Commissioner in 2004.

Prior to joining Worksafe Nina worked Nina diverse range of Government roles, including Executive director of Road Safety.

Mr Robert Gotts is Director of the Office of Industrial Relations in the ACT. From 1998 to 2001 Mr Gotts was Senior Manager, Policy for ACT WorkCover. He has been a representative on the ACT Occupational Health and Safety Council since 1999.

Mr Roy Ormerod is General Manager of Workplace Standards Tasmania with responsibilities for industry, gas and electrical safety. From 1998 to 2006 Mr Ormerod was Director of Consumer Affairs and Fair Trading with responsibility for occupational licensing laws. He holds a Masters in Public Administration.

Ms Laurene Hull is Executive Director of Northern Territory WorkSafe. Ms Hull was previously a solicitor in private practice and as a government adviser. She was also a member of the Australian Safety and Compensation Council.

Geoff Fary brings an unusual combination of background and experiences to his Assistant Secretary role at the ACTU.

Elected in 2007, he has previously worked as a farm labourer, sheep shearer, administrator, Victorian Director of TUTA, Chief of Staff to a federal Cabinet Minister, Human Resources Director, Company Director, CEO of Industrial Relations Victoria and, for the previous four years, at the most senior national industrial role at APESMA.
Read full profile

Mr Peter Tighe has held the position of National Secretary of the Communications, Electrical, Electronic, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and Allied Services Union (CEPU) of Australia since 1995. He is also the Divisional Secretary of the Electrical Trades Union (ETU) division of the CEPU.
He was a member of the National Occupational Health and Safety Commission from 1995 to 2005 and a member of the Australian Safety and Compensation Council.

Peter is the long-standing Chair of EE-Oz Training Standards, having been first appointed as a Director of the organisation in 1995. He is also a director of five other industry related bodies and an executive member of the Australian Council of Trade Unions.

Peter has represented his organisation and the ACTU on a variety of vocational boards and training committees, including the Central Trades Committee of Trades Recognition Australia.

Ms Annette Bellamy is Director, Health, Safety and Workers’ Compensation in the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia. She has held other senior positions in occupational health and safety and workers’ compensation and holds several nursing qualifications and a Bachelor of Applied Science. Ms Bellamy was previously a member of the Australian Safety and Compensation Council and the National Occupational Safety and Health Commission.

Mr Mark Goodsell is Director - NSW of Australian Industry Group, a position he has held since 1999. Previously Mr Goodsell was an industrial relations adviser to industry and he holds degrees in economics and law. He is currently a member of the NSW OHS and Workers’ Compensation Council.

I have been closely involved with OHS for many years. Now a consultant, I am a former CEO and member of the National OHS Commission. I chaired the recent national review into model OHS laws and have advised various government bodies on OHS law and practice.
Read full profile

Joint Managing Directors of Sharpe Bros, brothers Michael, Richard and Hayden Sharpe have built their business on safety.

Sharpe Bros is a leader in the roads industry, developing and providing viable solutions and technologies to improve the quality, strength and safety of Local and State Government road networks.

Sharpe Bros is a family owned business that can trace its roots back over three generations and nearly 60 years.
During the 1950’s and 1960’s, the family was in the business of development and building construction on the NSW Central Coast.

The Sharpe brothers have continued the tradition of innovation and the company is known throughout Australia as a leader in road repair, widening and maintenance. They continue to develop innovative road repair solutions from their Gosford workshop.
Read full profile

I joined the Office of Federal Safety Commissioner (the OFSC) in July 2007 and was appointed to the position of Federal Safety Commissioner (FSC) in August 2008. In the 12 months leading up to my appointment, I was Deputy Safety Commissioner.

As a career public servant, I have worked in a variety of positions in both South Australia and Canberra as an industrial relations practitioner and human resources manager.
Read full profile

I have been involved with different aspects of industrial relations and workplace safety for almost 20 years since working in the Victorian Occupational Safety & Health Authority.

I have published my own OHS magazines and newsletters, consulted on OHS, and now write on OHS and its business context.

I am a life member of the Central Safety Group and a Fellow of the Safety Institute of Australia.
Read full profile

Scott Beynon established Proline Building in 1987. Scott is its Managing Director. Proline Building focuses on the commercial and industrial building sectors. The company undertakes both private, public and government projects.

Scott is currently National President of Master Builders Australia, prior to that he was President of Master Builders New South Wales, where he was the youngest President in its 130 year history. Scott is married with five children and lives in Sydney.
Read full profile

Since joining Watpac in 1997 as Safety Manager, I have been responsible for overseeing all safety requirements on all projects throughout the company. My duties encompass regular auditing of the safety procedures on all projects and for recommendations on the correct methods to be implemented. I also conduct safety training programmes for all personnel.

I am ultimately responsible for the safety management on all Queensland sites, which can range from small community jobs, through to large-scale, multi-million dollar projects, including sports stadiums, high-rise CBD developments, university facilities, and much more.

Prior to joining Watpac, I spent two years as the OHS Officer for Queensland Master Builders Association, and five years as the OHS Manager with BM Cully and Associates.
Read full profile

My name is Daniel Sestic. I have been working in the construction industry for over 15 years and have a background in design. I am a director of WP Projects, an award-winning Sydney based commercial construction company that specialise in project/construction management, fit outs, refurbishment and maintenance. 

The business has been operating for over 30 years. Throughout this time WP Projects has aimed to work safely, constantly improve and be ahead of industry trends.
Read full profile 

I have been working in the construction industry for the last 14 years on numerous sites around Australia, mainly working as a dogman. Recently I have changed roles, and am currently working as a trainee safety advisor for John Holland on sites around Perth. This is a program developed to expose trainees to various sites with differing OH&S environments.
Read full profile

I am a Safety & Environment Officer and Training Co-ordinator for Forestry Tasmania (Mersey District). I have been performing this role for the past 18 months after having spent approx. 20 years in the civil, commercial and residential construction industry. I am trained/training in OHS; Workplace Assessment; Quality, Environmental and Safety System Auditing; and have a particular interest in streamlining and improving safety management systems.

I am continually searching for ways to keep the safety message fresh, vibrant and at the forefront of employees’ minds. Installing in personnel a culture or mind-set where safety is the first thought when required to perform a task, either at work or at home, is one of my priority goals.
Read full profile

I am currently a SHE Coordinator and have been working in OHS for 3 ½ years. Prior to working in safety I worked in HR, training and recruitment. I am also presently studying a Graduate Certificate in OH&S Management, and a Certificate IV in Workplace Training & Assessment.
Read full profile 

My name is Glenn Murray; I am the HSSE Manager covering the Eastern Region of Australia - SA, NT, QLD, NSW, VIC, and TAS for United Group Resources a United Group Ltd business.

My role provides the strategic direction and manages the operational side of the organisation. My experience is in Oil and Gas, Mining & Minerals (Underground & Open Cut), Maintenance (Asset Services), Rail and Construction.
Read full profile

I began my employment history in 1993 at the Westpac Bank. After being there for 4 years I decided a change was needed and did various jobs including motel receptionist, shop assistant and housemaiding (10years). I also completed a small business traineeship and certificate 3 in business (office admin). In 2006 I commenced employment at Steve’s Auto Repairs as a fuel station attendant. In 2007 Debbie and Trevor Hannig bought Steve’s Autos and the business was reborn as Southern Brake and Services. I was then asked by Debbie if I would like to be the Occupational Health and Safety Supervisor, which I accepted. I then proceeded to identify and implement strategies to overcome any OHS issues that may arise. I completed a Certificate of Achievement, Occupational Health and Safety for Supervisors. I then nominated Southern Brake and Services for the Western Australian Work Safety Awards. We won our category: Best Workplace Safety and Health Practices in small business and were invited to attend the National work safe awards held in Canberra, where we were awarded a Finalist Certificate. We proudly display this certificate at Southern Brake and Services.
Read full profile 

I have worked in OHS within the manufacturing and communication industry for over 10 years, and gained my post graduate degree in Safety Science at UNSW. During this time I have been exposed to many diverse challenges from the office to the warehouse. I am passionate about preventative safety and take proactive steps to ensure employees are fit for the job and maintain their fitness for the job. I take the proactive approach to health and safety and thrive on the challenge of maintaining a safe workplace.

During my tenure, I have achieved a number of goals including significantly reducing lost time injuries on a national basis, reducing repetitive strain injuries by 10% nationally.

I have been instrumental in initiating health promotion programs and preventative conditioning programmes such as pause gymnastics which have resulted in eliminating repetitive strain injuries within the NSW data entry department (and maintaining it for 10 years!).
Read full profile

Malcolm has been a practicing safety professional for the past 12 years. After completing his degree in Occupational Health and Safety and Environmental Health at the University of Western Sydney, Hawkesbury Campus, he moved to Victoria, working as a Field Officer for WorkSafe Victoria.

In 2001, Malcolm began work with Coles Myer at their Goulburn Distribution Centre. He was employed as Occupational Health and Safety and Injury Management Coordinator until late 2002, where a restructure of the business led him to the position of Safety Auditor.

Malcolm also has experience as the National Safety Manager for a refrigerated transport company. Whilst in this role he was responsible for developing and implementing a safety strategy and a safety management system that met the needs of the business, the customers, regulatory authorities and other key stakeholders.

Since 2005, Malcolm has been employed by Brisbane City Council as their Workplace Health and Safety Manager overseeing the construction and maintenance division and has recently taken on the role as Acting Brisbane Infrastructure Workplace Health and Safety Manager due to a restructure within the business. Malcolm is responsible for leading staff to achieve Zero Harm through the application of and conformance with Workplace Health and Safety legislation, strategies, policies and initiatives and the demonstration of behaviours that are consistent with the councils Zero Harm policy.

Malcolm also has experience in Crisis Management and has represented council and worked with major stakeholders in relation to the cleanup of the Moreton Bay oil spill.
Read full profile

I have worked with Tasmanian Alkaloids for 9 years since graduating from the University of Tasmania with a science degree majoring in chemistry. I graduated on a Saturday and began work on the Monday (not a great deal of time for partying!). Tasmanian Alkaloids is a pharmaceutical company growing and processing the opium poppy Papaver Somniferum and are the world’s largest exporter of the alkaloids codeine and thebaine.

My first role with the company was in chemical research & development investigating new processing techniques and scaling up new and improved processes from the laboratory to full scale manufacture. After relishing that role for 5 and a half years I took up an opportunity to join the environment health & safety department as an environmental officer managing and monitoring the sites waste streams and water usage andauditing internal and external service providers. These roles eventually lead to a greater focus on the sites safety systems and I was promoted to the position of EHS Advisor co-ordinating Tasmanian Alkaloids process safety management and occupational hygiene programs. I am currently undertaking tertiary studies in occupational hygiene through Deakin University and hope to complete my diploma in 2010.

For the past 2 years I have been responsible for compiling the entries for the states Workcover safety awards. In 2008 Tasmanian Alkaloids was fortunate enough to win 2 categories which allowed us to attend the National safety awards, definitely a highlight in not only my career but for all of those involved with the projects that have increased the safety of workers at our facility.
Read full profile

Kandie Allen-Kelly is the CEO of the Australian Association of Social Workers. Kandie has a Bachelor of Social Work and a Master of Philosophy and is an accredited member of the AASW.

Prior to her roles with the AASW, Kandie was a former Head of School of Social Work (ACU) and an academic for many years, a research and project officer, executive coach and organisational consultant.
Read full profile

Barry is the Director of two companies “Australian Rescue and InteRisk” he is a past President of the Safety Institute of Australia, a member of The Australian Security Industry Association, and a foundation member of the Construction Safety Officers association and has represented many employer and employee organisations during the development of the OHS laws in Australia.

Barry has qualifications in OHS, Risk, Quality, Auditing, Electrical Engineering and Electrical trades
He has over 20years experience in managing property Risks and sits as a member of the PCA National Risk Committee; and represents on Mass Gatherings his expertise lays in the strategic implementation of Risk tools and the management of Risk.

His area of operational expertise extends to all countries throughout the Asia-Pacific region and covers around $65 Billion in property assets in all sectors of the industry.

Barry has been part of the development process for OHS legislation in Australia since the middle 1970s and currently sits on several Australian and New Zealand Standards panels, as well as various legislative, Security / Terrorism and Industrial working groups.

Prior to working in this business Barry was employed by Lend Lease as their National Risk Manager, specifically in Lend Lease Property Management, before that he was the International Risk Manager for London based BICC and Metal Manufacturers, in his trade and engineering capacity he was a Commissioning Engineer with Honeywell.
Read full profile