Official Event Advisory Panel of the 3rd Annual Eastern Australia's Energy Markets 2014, Sydney, Australia
The expert advisory panel has worked with Quest Events to ensure timely, in-depth coverage of the key topics in the industry. These well-known industry figures have lent their vast knowledge to the event to ensure the right, high level speakers are there providing attendees with the information they need.
Quest Events would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank the panel members below who are contributing their valuable time and expertise to ensure the conference agenda is timely and relevant for all stakeholders in the domestic energy sector.
Keith Orchison
Director
Coolibah Pty Ltd (Panel Chair)
Keith has been involved in Australian resources and industry policy issues management and communications for 34 years. He has been a communicator for 55 years, starting as a journalist in South Africa in 1959 and emigrating to Australia in 1970. He served for four years in the 1970s as public affairs manager of Associated Pulp & Paper Mills Limited and for three years as head of public relations at La Trobe University, Melbourne. He was chief executive of what is now APPEA for 11 years and of the Electricity Supply Association of Australia for 12 years. From 2003 to 2007 he chaired the energy committee of the Critical Infrastructure Advisory Council for the Howard government. He has also been chairman of the Australian Industry Greenhouse Network and of the CSIRO Energy Technology Advisory Committee. Today he runs his own energy advisory business as Coolibah Pty Ltd and is publisher of the blog “This is Power” and of the Coolibah monthly newsletter. He is also the editor of the “OnPower” website and yearbook and he contributes a commentary on energy issues regularly to “Business Spectator.” He was editor of the “Powering Australia” yearbook from 2007 to 2012. Keith is also engaged in the organisation and chairing of a series of energy outlook conferences. He was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 2004 and in 2012 was recipient of AusIMM’s Sir Willis Connolly Memorial Medal for outstanding communication about the mining and resources sectors.
"Having worked with Jamie Turmanis from Quest Events for many years, I have confidence in his ability to stage worthwhile conferences on energy issues -- and I am committed to helping to build the communication of understanding of Australia's energy policy, potential and problems at a critical time in the national investment cycle. There is a huge amount of talk in the media about energy issues, but not enough understanding of the underlying pressures and needs."
Tim Nelson
Head of Economic Policy and Sustainability
AGL Energy
Tim is the Head of Economics, Policy and Sustainability at AGL Energy. In this role, Tim is responsible for: AGL’s sustainability strategy; greenhouse accounting and reporting; AGL’s energy and greenhouse research; AGL’s corporate citizenship program, Energy for Life; and energy and greenhouse policy.
Tim is also an Adjunct Research Fellow at the University of New England and has had several papers published in Australian and international peer-reviewed journals. He has presented at conferences in Australia and throughout Asia and Europe. Tim holds a first class honours degree in economics and is a chartered secretary.
“A key issue for energy companies such as AGL is energy policy uncertainty. Bringing together key stakeholders to discuss energy policy is an important step in reducing policy uncertainty in the energy sector”.
Michael Riches
Executive Director Corporate Services and General Counsel
Alinta Energy
Michael Riches has almost 20 years of legal practice experience and was appointed the General Counsel and Head of Corporate Services at Alinta Energy in May 2011 shortly after the restructure and recapitalisation of the business.
Michael worked in private practice prior to joining Alinta Energy, spending over 11 years at Minter Ellison, the last 4 as a partner and 6 years as a partner of Clayton Utz. Michael’s principal areas of practice were merger and acquisition finance, particularly leveraged finance private equity buyouts; project finance of major infrastructure; and corporate finance. Michael was recognised by industry and general publications as an expert in these practice areas. Michael worked on some of the largest and most complex private equity transactions in Australia, commencing with the original Pacific Brands buy-out in 2001 and including the Affinity Hospitals, Coates Hire, DCA and Stella Travel acquisitions.
As a partner at Clayton Utz Michael held the role of Head of the National Banking and Finance department, comprising more than 25 partners and was elected to the board of Clayton Utz in 2008. Michael was also a director of the listed Jetset Travelworld business when it merged with the Stella Travel business.
At Alinta Energy Michael is responsible for the Regulatory Affairs, Government and Investor Relations, Media, Company Secretarial and the Legal functions. Michael is currently acting in the role of Executive Director of Retail Markets where he is responsible for the national retail business of Alinta Energy, comprising over 750,000 customers in the mass market, SME and commercial and industrial sectors. Michael holds a Bachelor of Commerce and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of New South Wales.
“The challenges that face today’s energy markets are immense. Falling demand, pressure on prices, policy uncertainty and market structure longevity create an environment where all market participants need to come together to discuss and propose solutions to ensure a viable and effective energy market for the next 10 years and beyond. The Energy Markets conference creates a unique forum for participants in all segments of the market to have the opportunity to discuss and debate these issues”.
Matthew Warren
Chief Executive Officer
Energy Supply Association of Australia
Matthew Warren joined esaa in January 2012, having spent 15 years working as an environment and energy policy specialist. An economist by training, his objective at esaa is to ensure that esaa’s research and advocacy assists the downstream electricity and gas sector to continue to provide a safe, reliable and affordable energy supply for Australia. Matthew was previously CEO of the Clean Energy Council, where he made a significant contribution to Australian policy debate on the role of renewable energy in meeting the challenges of reducing emissions.Matthew has also worked for the mining industry in NSW, as an environmental consultant to both government and industry and was a trainee in the Environment Directorate of the European Commission. He has also worked as a journalist, most recently as the environment writer for The Australian newspaper.
Matthew holds a Bachelor of Economics with Honours from the University of Adelaide.
Joel Grant
Corporate Affairs Manager, Energy Markets
Origin Energy