SAG members

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.

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.

The Energy Ombudsman of Tasmania provides a free, fair and independent dispute-resolution service for electricity (and natural gas) consumers who have been unable to resolve a complaint with their energy retailer or distributor.

The Ombudsman is represented on the SAG by Kate Cox.

For a detailed overview of the Ombudsman's role, visit their official website.   

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.

Hugh is an experienced executive, passionate about realising opportunities for productive and sustainable rural and regional communities through sustainable resource management, enabling regulatory frameworks, and fit-for-purpose governance approaches. 

After growing up on a rural property in southwest Victoria, he has worked with communities in resource management sectors, including water management, circular economies, and agri-politics for over twenty-five years, including senior management, general manager and chief executive roles. 

Critical to his successes throughout his career has been Hugh’s passion for engaging customers, communities, stakeholders and staff to influence culture and behaviours to achieve positive outcomes. This has resulted in the development of enduring, authentic relationships across the agricultural, rural water and natural resource industries across south-eastern Australia and Tasmania with all stakeholders - from community members to industry and Government.

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.

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.

Established in 1937 as the Electrical Contractors Association, our association has been supporting and advocating on behalf of electrical contractors for over 80 years, making it one of the longest-standing industry associations of its kind.

In 2008, Master Electricians Australia was established out of a need for a national approach to industry leadership and development. Since then the Master Electricians brand has become a hallmark that inspires trust for electrical contractors and consumers nationally.

MEA is a Peak Industry Association, providing its members with holistic support from starting your electrical contracting business to employing an apprentice, through to assistance growing your business and adapting to change. The MEA offering includes access to trusted advice, business tools, savings and advocacy support. Whether it’s technical, safety or HR/IR advice, access to the benchmark in safety systems, free access to Standards, discounts on bookkeeping and marketing services or help to structure your business and more. MEA is your industry business partner.

In 2020 MEA commenced the industry’s first Master Program, providing step-by-step support to set-up and grow an electrical contracting business.

MEA is currently represented by Georgia Holmes, Policy Officer.

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.

Richard is a power system engineer with a PhD in Electrical Engineering. He is currently the Grid Connections Manager at Goldwind Australia and has over a decade of experience in the power systems industry. Specialising in managing grid connection processes in dynamic and evolving energy markets, Richard’s expertise spans leadership, engineering, grid connection management, and grid compliance management.

Drawing on advanced technical skills and practical insights gained from roles at the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO), leading consultancy firms, and international renewable developers, Richard has successfully connected over 3 GW of renewable energy to the Australian grid.

He is deeply committed to net-zero initiatives, leveraging his expertise to develop innovative solutions that support the integration of renewable energy. Richard’s passion for sustainability and technical excellence positions him as a key contributor to advancing Australia's clean energy future.

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.

Sam has worked in various roles at Aurora Energy over the past nine years, including a short period at Treasury. His background includes stakeholder relations, strategy and regulation and policy. Sam considers himself actively engaged with the energy sector with a strong interest in getting the best customer outcomes for Tasmanians.

Shannon is a Senior Policy Analyst at Hydro Tasmania with eight years in the energy sector. She is passionate about shaping energy policy to support the transition to a low-emissions power system while ensuring security, affordability, and consumer access. She has a background in security markets and distribution pricing and is committed to developing and advocating for policies that create a reliable, sustainable energy future. 

Shannon began her career at TasNetworks in 2017, completing the graduate program before moving into distribution pricing strategy in 2019. In 2022, she joined the Australian Energy Market Commission in Sydney, where she worked on security and reliability policy for the National Electricity Market. In 2024, she returned to Tasmania to join Hydro Tasmania. Since her return, she has focused on advancing policies that support Tasmania’s role in the evolving energy landscape, with a particular emphasis on renewable generation and hydropower, security, and market reforms.

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.