Panel discussion: Stakeholder Engagement

Ellen Fanning is best known for her work as an award-winning current affairs journalist.

At 24, she broke new ground, becoming the first woman to host one of ABC Radio’s national current affairs programs. Two years at the helm of PM were followed by several years anchoring AM on ABC Radio and serving as occasional host of ABC TV’s 7.30 Report. Ellen served as the ABC’s Washington correspondent in 1998 and has reported from locations as diverse as Transylvania and the North Pole, under the Indian Ocean aboard an Australian Navy submarine, and 30,000 feet over Serbia from a US Airforce refuelling jet.

She has also interviewed every current and former Australian Prime Minister from John Howard to John Gorton, and has met and interviewed world leaders from France, Britain, Ireland, Israel and the United States.

Most recently, Ellen has been a reporter for the Nine Network’s 60 Minutes, and the presenter for Channel 9’s Sunday program. Ellen has also stepped in to co-host the Today show. She has had extensive experience moderating political, business and community events in Australia.

As a facilitator, Ellen’s strength lies in her ability to clarify goals, define roles, and reach agreed outcomes across both cultural and language barriers.

With a wealth of experience in communications, politics, social, cultural and business issues, Ellen’s informative and stimulating presentations make her an ideal moderator, facilitator and keynote speaker.

Appointed as MD of Oil Search in 1994, Peter has overseen the growth of Oil Search from AU$200 million marcap to a Top 30 ASX company.

Peter was made a Commander of the British Empire in the Queen’s Honours List for services to the community, mining and petroleum industries in Papua New Guinea. He is Chairman of the Australian-based NGO Business for Millennium Development Australia, the Tari Hospital Board in the Southern Highlands, and the Lloyd Robson Trust. He is a Director of the Oil Search Foundation, which delivers major social and health initiatives through strategic partnerships.

He has received a number accolades, including inclusion on Harvard Business Review’s 2015 list of 100 Best-Performing CEOs, and the Oil & Gas Council’s 2016 APAC Executive of the Year Award.

John Cotter, Chairman of GasFields Commission Queensland, works with his fellow Commissioners to manage and improve sustainable coexistence among rural landholders, regional communities and the onshore gas industry in Queensland.

Mr Cotter is a landholder and beef producer with more than 30 years of experience in rural advocacy. He is a former President of AgForce, the peak rural industry organisation in Queensland, and has successfully negotiated the rights of rural property owners in challenging times.

Mr Cotter has a track record of bringing onshore gas company senior executives, landholders, heads of government and advocacy groups to the table and leading open and frank discussions.

Seiya Ito arrived in Australia in November 2008 to assume the role of Managing Director (Perth office) and INPEX Corporation Company Representative in Australia. His promotion to President Director, Australia followed in October 2010.

Seiya joined Indonesia Petroleum Ltd (INPEX) in 1977 following graduation from Waseda University’s Faculties of Law and Foreign Studies. He has remained with INPEX since then, undertaking roles in various divisions including Director/General Manager Corporate Planning and Management, Director/Assistant COO Corporate Strategy and Planning Unit, and Director/Deputy COO Oceania and Americas Business Division.

Following the restructure of INPEX Corporation in 2008, Seiya assumed leadership of the then newly-established Ichthys Project Division at INPEX’s Tokyo head office. He retains this position during his tenure in Australia.

In addition to his Australian and Ichthys Project roles, Seiya is a Director, Managing Executive Officer for INPEX Corporation.

Graeme Hunt was appointed Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer effective 1 November 2012.

Prior to his appointment, Graeme had more than 37 years of experience across the metals, mining and bulk transport sectors, including as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Lihir Gold, and a 34 year career at BHP Billiton during which he held various President level positions. In these positions he had accountability for various large port, rail and power infrastructure development and operations across Australia, Africa and South America. He has a strong track record of delivering shareholder value through performance improvement and organic growth in globally competitive industries.

Graeme joined the Board of AGL Energy Limited in September 2012. He was appointed to the Board of the Australian Mines and Metals Association (AMMA) in June 2014, and currently serves as President. Graeme also chairs the National Resource Sciences Precinct Steering Committee (NRSP), and the Western Australian Energy Research Alliance (WA:ERA). Both are collaborative initiatives between CSIRO, The University of Western Australia, and Curtin University.