SAG members

I joined the Stakeholder Advisory Group because I believe the way essential services are delivered can have a significant impact on customer and community outcomes.

I have spent most of my career working with customer representatives and community advocates in the Australian energy sector, and currently run my own business, Good Energy Engagement, which supports better communication between businesses and communities to foster understanding and support lasting partnerships.

I am passionate about social justice and helping communities and energy businesses navigate Australia’s transition to renewable energy for shared benefit.

Outside of work I'm a nature lover, foodie and occasional traveller who feels very lucky to live on such a beautiful island.

Andrew has over 35 years of energy industry experience across a range of senior roles, including strategic planning, policy and regulatory reform and stakeholder engagement. For the last nine years he has been Chief Executive Officer of the Energy Users Association of Australia (EUAA). The EUAA is the peak national body representing major Australian commercial and industrial electricity and gas users.

Andrew is deeply involved in numerous advisory groups, including the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) Social License Advisory Group and the Federal Government Energy Sector Plan Advisory Group. He also played a key role in developing the gas industry code of conduct. Andrew is also a member of stakeholder advisory councils for Electranet, Essential Energy, Transgrid, AusNet and Jemena.

Annie is a product solutionist and the Regional Development Coordinator for Northwest Tasmania at Regional Development Australia (RDA).

At RDA, Annie works closely with all levels of government, businesses, organisations, and other stakeholders to support economic development, regional infrastructure, investment, business support, and innovation. 

With over a decade of experience in the start-up industry, Annie has worked with multiple international start-ups in the hypergrowth phase, transitioning from start-up to enterprise level in a very short time frame. 

Annie is passionate about community and fostering opportunities and innovation from Tasmania.

Ben leads the policy and advocacy work for the Local Government Association of Tasmania (LGAT). A core part of his role is to support the policy team, which works across a wide range of policy areas and programs on behalf of LGAT members. Ben also actively engages with councils, a range of government and non-government stakeholders and other partners, providing support around governance, strategic communications, engagement and other LGAT member services. 

From 2015 to 2021, Ben was the Manager of Regulation and Strategic Policy at TasWater, where he led economic regulation and strategic policy, including the development of a Price and Service Plan. 

Prior to moving to Tasmania, Ben worked for the Municipal Association of Victoria for nine years as their Environment Manager. This role involved leading environment policy and advocacy on behalf of the Victorian local government sector across energy and carbon management, natural resources, waste management and recycling, climate change and water.

I have been a licensed electrician for over 35 years, ran an electrical contracting business for nearly 20 years, and for the last three years have been employed by Master Electricians Australia (MEA), where I am currently the General Manager of Advocacy Memberships and Partnerships. 

I have governance experience, having served on several industry boards, and a passion for the improvement of the safety and professionalism of our industry and the development of our next generation of electricians. 

As a longtime contractor, and now representing the interests of electrical contractors, I believe that electrical contractors have a unique perspective on the relationship between Distribution Network Service Providers (DNSP) and the consumer, quite often being the link between the DNSP and the customer in connecting the grid safely to the consumer for use in their home or business. Contractors are consumers and customers of DNSPs, but often find themselves as advocates of the retail consumer/customer in negotiating with network providers.

Dani holds a double degree in Economics and Environmental Biology from Curtin University in Perth. She is passionate about the intersection of the two areas, focusing on the sustainable transition of Australia's energy market. 

As a Policy Analyst at Hydro Tasmania, she works predominantly in market regulation, working with NEM market bodies to create positive and sustainable change in the electricity market. 

Dani is an excellent collaborator and communicator and represents Hydro Tasmania on several industry working groups.

A strategic communications and government relations specialist with extensive public sector experience. As a problem solver and communicator I have a solid reputation of building partnerships and achieving high quality outcomes. My experience in political and ministerial settings, together with my earlier career in human resources, has equipped me in successfully building and managing relationships for influence and effect.

I have a passion for solving complex policy and operational challenges, particularly at the intersection of public and private sector investment and interests, and have strong experience as a leader, strategic thinker, relationship builder and influential communicator.

I currently work in the energy sector and lead and shape the communications, stakeholder, and external affairs relationships for a gas and electricity retailer, which includes managing and engaging key stakeholders within the industry and state and federal governments, advocating for positive outcomes in the interests of the company and industry.

Dr Eleni Taylor-Wood has over twenty years' experience in project management, sustainable infrastructure, and environmental and social assessment and management. Whilst Eleni’s initial career was focused on ecological assessment and management and the protection of cultural heritage, she focussed later on the sustainable development and operation of infrastructure (hydropower, renewable energy, transmission lines and roads) and water supply projects.

Eleni has also been involved in training and capacity building, and has worked across Tasmania, mainland Australia and Internationally (Pacific, South East Asia, South Asia, Africa, South America, Europe). Eleni was also a member of TasNetworks' Reset Advisory Committee for the duration of the group's life between 2021-2023.

Grant graduated from the University of Tasmania in 1981 with a Bachelor of Science (Hons.) and a Diploma in Education. He has since completed a Master of Educational Studies, a CompTIA A+, and tertiary studies in Graphic Design. He worked in the Tasmanian Department of Education for 40 years, teaching Mathematics, Physical Science, Computer Science and Graphic Design in Burnie and Devonport Secondary Schools. 

While with the Department of Education, Grant also worked for 10 years as an IT Consultant, supporting schools in developing their IT infrastructure and coordinating and training technicians. Since retiring in 2019, Grant has continued part-time study at the University of Tasmania. This study has focused on sustainability, change agency and the renewable energy transition.

I live with my wife on a Hobby Farm at Devon Hills. I am a shareholder, director and commercial property owner both in Tasmania and interstate. 

I am currently Chairman of the Northern Midlands Business Association (NMBA) and was also a Northern Midlands Councillor (NMC) for nearly 20 years. I also recently sold an insurance brokerage and continue to work in the insurance industry. 

As part of my work with the NMBA I've helped reduced government red tape in the building industry, and also assisted the NMC and Telstra to secure $5 million in grants for Blackspot road safety projects. 

I am passionate about flood awareness in Tasmania, and a member of multiple local community and commercial groups.

Ian is the Chair of Clean Energy Tasmania, the peak body for renewable energy proponents. He was born in Burnie and after schooling moved to Hobart where he operated two office equipment businesses. In 1986 Ian entered the corporate world with a division of Toshiba in Sydney and over the following 25 years held senior management roles with large corporates in Sydney and Hong Kong. Living in Shenzhen, China for ten years before moving back to Burnie Ian operated small businesses in the real estate, insurance and hospitality industries. Returning home in 2012 Ian joined the local chamber of commerce and has been President since 2019. He is on the board of TCCI (Policy Committee) and the North West Tasmanian Veteran Welfare Board plus several other local committees that support the economic and cultural development of the region.

Inez is a Grid Connections Manager working in Goldwind Australia's Grid Team. Goldwind Australia is the Australian subsidiary of Goldwind International, who manufacture Wind Turbines and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). Goldwind Australia supplies turbines, as well as develops renewable projects in Australia. She works with Goldwind's Research and Development teams from Goldwind HQ and liaises with Network Service Providers like TasNetworks and AEMO to bring innovative renewable products and solutions through the connection application process.

Leigh holds an Associate Diploma in electrical engineering and is the Principal Advisor Energy and Strategy for Bell Bay Aluminium. With over 35 years in the Aluminium Industry, his roles have included leadership, engineering, project management and managing of the HV Assets. Leigh has managed the energy contracts for the last 20 years and focuses on the future strategy for the smelter. 

Leigh is a non-executive Director for the Tasmanian Minerals, Manufacturing and Energy Council (TMEC), and Chair of the Bell Bay Advanced Manufacturing Zone Limited. Leigh was also a member of TasNetworks' Reset Advisory Committee for the duration of the group's life between 2021-2023.

Neil Grose is an experienced professional across many industries including agriculture, renewable energy, racing, tourism and the arts. He currently is the Advocacy and Projects Manager at TasFarmers and sits on a number of boards as a nonexecutive director.

Robert Mallett is currently the CEO of the Tasmanian Small Business Council (Tasmania’s peak small business advocacy body) and also holds the position of CEO of Hair & Beauty Tasmania (Tasmania’s statewide industry association specifically supporting the hair & beauty sector). His passion for the small business sector has spanned several decades as both a small business owner and a fierce advocate for small business owners both in Tasmania and throughout the nation. Robert is a past Chair of COSBOA (the national small business peak organisation) and has held several positions on Small Business Ministerial advisory groups.

TBC

I have worked in various roles at Aurora Energy over the past 9 years (with a brief stint at Treasury in between), including Stakeholder Relations, Strategy and now Reg and Policy. Engaged with the energy sector in general and have a great interest in getting the best customer outcomes for Tasmanians'.

I have been employed in the commercial industry for the last 27 years on the fund and asset management side. Predominantly representing institutional and private clientele in Australia.

I am a senior policy officer with TasCOSS, commencing in my role in 2018. My key areas of focus for research, policy and advocacy work include energy affordability, digital inclusion, employment and participation, local government, housing, transport, consumer protections and cost of living. Since graduating from the University of Tasmania with a Bachelor of Commerce, my work history has included policy and project roles in industry development with both the state and federal governments.