Statecraft - Australian Government Relations

	Aisha Amjad Senior Consultant Aisha Amjad has a unique understanding of how government decision making operates, having worked as an adviser to the Federal Minister for Agriculture, the Hon Tony Burke and as a media/policy adviser to the former Shadow Immigration, Consumer Affairs and Health Regulation Minister, Laurie Ferguson. Aisha has strong political networks with the NSW State and Federal Governments. Aisha has also worked very closely with high-level Government officials and diplomats during her work for DFAT and Defence at the Australian High Commission in Islamabad. With a background as a property lawyer, Aisha has worked for client’s such as Westfield and Lend Lease. Her strong analytical skills allow her to quickly and decisively navigate complex issues on behalf of Statecraft’s clients. A qualified Arbitrator, Aisha has the ability to manage the diverse issues and activities on behalf of clients through effective strategic support and negotiation. Aisha’s training as a journalist and TV presenter helps clients focus on good communication and the difference this can make when conveying key messages to both government and commercial audiences. Aisha has studied in the US, completed an Honours thesis in International Law and is fluent in four languages, giving her an enhanced global outlook which benefits Statecraft’s clients on a range of issues across different regulatory environments and industry sectors.
	The Hon Bruce Baird Advisory Board Member Bruce Baird has extensive experience in domestic and international public policy development and how commercial opportunities are influenced by governance issues. As a previous member of both the NSW State and Federal Parliaments and a former NSW State Minister, Bruce an intimate understanding of the interaction between the public and private sectors. Bruce has held several State Ministerial portfolios in New South Wales including Transport, Roads and Ports and was appointed Minister for Tourism after the successful Sydney 2000 Olympic bid. At a Federal level, Bruce has chaired a number of Parliamentary Committees including Economics and Finance, Trade, Small Business, Tourism and the Arts, the Australian Crime Commission and led an inquiry into the Australian Retail Sector. As a former Australian Assistant Trade Commissioner in Germany and Australian Trade Commissioner in New York, Bruce is adept at understanding how the Australian market can present opportunities to companies across the globe. He has held a range of commercial roles including Organisation Development Manager at Alcoa, Government Affairs Manager at Esso and Chief Executive of the Tourism Council of Australia. His previous board positions include ABN Amro- Hoare Govett and William Angliss College and he was also the Chairman of the National Rail Corporation. Bruce currently sits on the board of the Qantas Foundation and is Chairman of the Tourism and Transport Forum. Bruce holds a B.A. from the University of Sydney, an M.B.A. from the University of Melbourne and an honorary Ph.D. from the University of Newcastle.
	Ken Cripps Advisory Board Member Ken Cripps is recognised as a leader in government relations and an expert in the field of public affairs, with over 25 years experience in the public service and at senior levels in the NSW State Government. During his time in the public service, Ken served as Chief of Staff to various Ministers of the Environment including former Premier Bob Carr MP. He was Chief of staff to the Environment Minister at a time when some of the state's most significant environmental initiatives were developed and implemented. Ken has advised Ministers on both sides of politics and has a unique perspective in issues relating to government. Ken also carries a wealth of experience in the private sector, managing a number of complex political and legislative issues requiring high level government lobbying on behalf of a range of major stakeholders. He has been successful in ensuring that the interests of clients are well-represented to local, state and federal governments on issues as diverse as negotiations over dust diseases legislation, land remediation and property development, alcohol and gaming legislation and transport issues. Ken's experience adds significant value to how clients interact with government.
	Greg Daniel AM Advisory Board Member Greg Daniel is a veteran of the market and communications sector, with over 30 years experience at senior levels. Greg was CEO of a number of Australia's largest advertising agencies including Clemenger and The Campaign Palace. He previously held positions include Director Sydney Symphony, Director Bulmer Australia, Director British American Tobacco Australasia, Director Australian Tourism Commission, Director Sydney Olympic Bid Board and Chairman of the Sydney Olympic Communications Commission. Greg is currently Chairman of Spin Communications.
	Jason de Sousa Director Jason de Sousa advises companies, industry groups, and government entities on public policy and regulation in a range of sectors. His broad experience has enabled him to develop unique insights into policy, regulatory, and public affairs issues related to investment transactions and public sector procurement, assisting his clients in achieving commercial outcomes. Jason a former policy adviser to Australia’s previous Finance Minister. During his time in Government, he was involved in the sale of government assets, and introducing private participation in the delivery of public services. He applies his experience in developing investment options and opportunities for public private partnership and privatisation transactions in both developed and emerging markets. Jason has a particular interest in climate change policy and advises widely on emissions trading design, the evolution of global climate policy, and managing carbon risk. He has recently assisted a number of companies in Australia and New Zealand in understanding the impact on corporate value from the introduction of emissions trading schemes in these countries. Prior to joining Statecraft, Jason helped establish and build the Australian practice of a global economics and finance consulting firm. He is qualified in economics, business, and international relations.
	Greg Holland Director For over two decades, Greg Holland has played a major role in government relations at all levels of government, coupled with time spent working in international business development in the private sector. He was a Senior Ministerial Advisor in the Hawke Government, a former Executive Director of the Public Affairs division of Australian Associated Press (AAP) and a former Chief Executive of International Business for AAP with 14 Joint Ventures in Asia. Greg also has first hand experience in grass roots politics, having contested the Southern Sydney seat of Hughes for Labor at the 2004 and 2007 Federal elections. Greg’s comprehensive understanding of government relations and public affairs offers a sound understanding of the workings of how government decision making interacts with communities and organised stakeholders. He has played an integral role in the development and implementation of government relations programs in areas such as electricity privatisation, telecommunications, urban renewal and land development, foreign investment and public-private sector financing.
	James Keulemans Partner James Keulemans has over fourteen years experience working in corporate affairs across the public and private sectors. He has worked for leading communications consultancies, members of parliament and a government regulatory body in Australia and the United Kingdom. James is adept at managing complex corporate affairs issues and is highly regarded for developing strategies to manage the dramatically changing nexus between stakeholder groups and corporate Australia. Recent projects include development of a communications strategy to support a leading energy supplier’s successful bid for the privatisation of Queensland’s state-owned energy companies; crisis and issues management for a major pharmaceutical company; and management of a comprehensive engagement program regarding telecommunications regulation and community and stakeholder relations for an environmentally sensitive development. James has a reputation for quickly providing clients with a thorough analysis of their issues and then taking swift action to deliver lasting results.
	Gavin Melvin Senior Consultant Gavin is well placed to add value for Statecraft's clients and brings a broad range of experience in public affairs, government relations and financial communications. He has worked as a journalist, political adviser, communications and government relations manager and most recently as a consultant advising a number of listed and un-listed Australian companies on their financial communications. Gavin worked as a policy and political adviser to a Federal Finance Minister and was communications manager for one of Australia's largest churches, where he oversaw the media relations, government relations and internal communications of the Church. Most recently he has worked providing financial and investor relations advice and services to listed and unlisted clients in sectors as diverse as investment banking, funds management, private equity, resources and retailing. Client mandates ranged from substantial one-off financial transactions to long-term communication programs managing the full spectrum of a client's internal and external communication and investor relations needs. Gavin has experience in IPO's and capital raisings, mergers and acquisitions, asset sales and corporate re-structuring programs and was part of a team that worked to develop and execute a major realignment strategy for an ASX 100 company following several unexpected profit downgrades.
	Michael Priebe Managing Partner Michael Priebe has a broad background in corporate affairs, government relations and issues management. Michael’s experience in Australian and international politics has provided him with a unique perspective. Michael is a former domestic policy adviser to the previous Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and has held a number of senior political positions. These high-level advisory roles saw him regularly interact with corporate and government representatives from across the globe on major corporate and regulatory issues, including the sale of government assets and high level government tenders. Michael was also an adviser to a Congressional campaign in a competitive district in California in the 2000 US elections. Between 2005 and 2006, Michael led the regulatory practice of Australia’s largest investor relations consultancy, working on some of the most significant transactions undertaken in the market during that period. Applying his exceptional skill set to corporate issues, at Statecraft Michael has provided Australian and international companies with assistance on a broad range of complex issues. This has seen him assist with major international financial transactions, provide strategic counsel and support on complex government and regulatory issues including the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme and advise senior corporate representatives on communications issues. Michael is currently undertaking postgraduate research at the University of Sydney, authoring a dissertation on the role of credit rating agencies on contemporary global governance.