Safeguarding the future
Shaughn MorganAGL Energy Limited.
The APPEA Journal 55(2) 436-436 https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ14071
Published: 2015
Abstract
The present climate of coal seam gas (CSG) production in east coast Australia illustrates the importance of consultation and engagement with the government and stakeholders. This extends particularly to agricultural and community groups, and the impact they have on government policy decisions and in some instances, knee-jerk reactions based on emotion rather than science.
Farmers are (and have been) strong environmental managers who want to ensure that the protection of prime agricultural land is safeguarded for future generations—however, so do petroleum companies and working side-by-side for a successful outcome is achievable. For instance, AGL Energy has invested in the agricultural sector from vineyards to growing cattle, allowing the company to engage in the sector directly. On the ground early engagement strategies increasingly need to be implemented with agriculture, which reassures the government and provides a win-win outcome by diffusing anti-groups and community divisions by bringing opportunities for sustainable economic benefit.
One of the critical questions is how can this be done successfully without it being seen by the government and community as corporate spin. Particular reference will be made to NSW and the relationship that AGL Energy has built with agriculture organisations, such as Dairy Connect NSW and community groups such as Advance Gloucester.
This extended abstract will illustrate that the opportunities for growth for CSG, agriculture and the community are only limited by narrow views of what is achievable and what is drawn from real-life experiences from AGL Energy operations in NSW.
Shaughn Morgan is a highly experienced senior manager with 25 years’ experience in senior management, public policy and government relations. He is employed by AGL Energy Limited in the government and stakeholder relations area. Before working at AGL, he was with the government relations firm, Barton Deakin. He has also been the chief executive officer of the NSW Farmers’ Association (the peak representative and advocacy body for farmers and the farming sector in NSW) for more than 4 years—he was previously their general manager of policy and government relations. He was responsible for more than 50 staff in research, policy, advocacy, lobbying and general management. Prior to this, Shaughn was the director of policy and government relations at the law society of NSW (the peak professional association for solicitors in NSW). He has served on a number of boards, with a strong background in governance issues and is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management. Shaughn has a strong professional background in law; he holds master degrees in law and the arts, and he commenced his legal career as a judge’s associate in the District Court of NSW. He later worked as a senior policy adviser to the Attorney General for NSW. He has been a solicitor, special counsel and consultant at the legal firm Clayton Utz, and also a consultant at the legal firm TressCox Lawyers. |
