Ai Group has a range of talented professionals who are thought leaders in their sectors and are accessible to members in need of specific industry insights, relevant to their businesses. Our experts are well respected voices to Government and are involved in a range of sector think tanks and policy forums. They are also available to speak on the future needs and challenges of specific sectors and industry in general. For more information email expertise@aigroup.com.au. For media comment on issues send us an email or phone (02) 6233 0700. Find out more about our experts:
Innes Willox was appointed Chief Executive of the Australian Industry Group in May 2012, after joining the organisation in 2008 as Director of Government Affairs. Innes served as the Australian Consul General to Los Angeles from 2006 to 2008, where he represented wide-ranging Australian interests on the west coast of the US, and was Chief of Staff to the Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Alexander Downer, from 2004 to 2006. Earlier, Innes held a number of private sector and government positions including Manager of Global Public Affairs for Singapore Airlines based in Singapore (2000-04). Innes began his working career as a journalist, with his positions including Chief of Staff at The Age newspaper in Melbourne and Chief Political Correspondent for The Age in the Canberra Parliamentary Press Gallery.
Brent is Ai Group's Head of National Workplace Relations Policy, leading a team of workplace relations policy and advocacy professionals in representing Ai Group members in workplace relations policy matters. This includes representations to Government and Opposition parties, submissions to numerous inquiries, major cases in the FWC and Courts, and influencing the public debate. Brent is a solicitor with around 20 years’ experience. In his current roles as Director - Major Cases, Workplace Relations Advocacy & Policy and as a Legal Practitioner Director at Ai Group Workplace Lawyers, Brent has been involved in a wide range of workplace developments and reforms.
Louise has a broad range of experience in international policy. She has particular interest in trade and border regulations, international transport, cross cultural communication, and digital trade policy. In her role as Ai Group’s Head of Industry Development and Policy she provides strategic leadership and guidance for Ai Group’s policy agenda in building competitive industries through global integration, infrastructure development and innovation. She ensures that through policy leadership members have a voice at all levels of government, by representing and promoting their interests on current and emerging issues. Louise represents Australian Industry in several multilateral forums, such as the B20 Taskforces, Global Business Coalition, and the East Asia Business Council working group on RCEP. She advocates for the interests of Ai Group members during Free Trade Negotiations and translates those agreements to support the strategic aims of members. She is a member of CSIRO’s Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence Think Tank and the Manufacturing Advisory Group, the NESP Sustainable Communities and Waste Hub and the Advisory Group of The Australian Consortium for ‘In-Country’ Indonesian Studies (ACICIS).
Tennant Reed is Director - Climate Change and Energy at the Australian Industry Group.
He has worked on these issues since 2008, advising Ai Group’s Leaders’ Group on Energy and Climate Policy; coordinating joint research and advocacy with wider energy stakeholders; facilitating the Australian Climate Roundtable; developing reports on energy prices, carbon border adjustments and business energy use; reviewing emissions targets for the State of Victoria and closely observing international climate negotiations.
Jeffrey Wilson is Head of Research and Economics at the Australian Industry Group.
He leads our economics team and provides strategic direction in developing the research program to support our advocacy, service delivery and policy activities.
Dr Wilson specialises in international economic policy, with a focus on how trade and investment shape the Australian business environment.
Kate is the Head of Defence and National Security at the Australian Industry Group.
She is also Executive Director of the Ai Group Defence Council.
In this role, Kate works with industry and defence to provide trusted policy advice and helps build the defence-industry partnership.
Kate joined Ai Group in 2017 following an extensive career in the Department of Defence.
She has broad experience in defence capability development, acquisition, contestability and industry policy.
Her final position with Defence was First Assistant Secretary Defence Industry Policy Division which involved responsibility for the effective implementation of the Government’s approach to defence industry policy.
Kate has a Bachelor of Laws (First Class Honours) and Bachelor of Arts from the Australian National University.
Tracey is Manager, National WHS & Workers' Compensation Policy and Membership Services at the Australian Industry Group.
She has a strong understanding of harmonised WHS laws, jurisdictional-based variations and non-harmonised OHS laws in Australia, as well as workers' compensation expertise in multiple Australian jurisdictions.
Tracey has a strong understanding and skills in workers' compensation premium management in multiple Australian jurisdictions and is an excellent trainer, with a passion for sharing knowledge on workers' compensation schemes and building practical skills in effective management of claims and return to work.
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The Workplace Advice Line is Ai Group’s national telephone advisory service for all your on the spot workplace related questions.
Call the Workplace Advice Line
1300 55 66 77 and press option 1
(Overseas: +61 3 9867 0100). Email: workplaceadvice@aigroup.com.au
Weekdays from 8.30am to 5.30pm
(Australian Eastern Daylight/Standard Time)
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