Resources Ministers’ Panel: rebuilding Australia’s states and territories for a stronger future

Gemma Tognini is the Founder and Executive Director of GT Communications – strategic communications, a full-service corporate affairs, PR and reputation management firm. The business was established in 2003 and has successfully partnered with clients here, nationally and around the globe for 18 years.

In November 2020, GT Communications opened it’s Sydney office, to better service it’s growing suite of national client partners. Gemma is still involved in the day to day of the business, working mainly with clients at a strategic level.

Gemma is a Telstra Businesswomen’s award winner (2014) and was a finalist again in 2017. She is a leading opinion columnist with the Australian Newspaper, the West Australian, and contributes regularly to a range of programs on Sky News network, as well as radio 6PR in Perth.

Gemma is an ambassador for Opportunity International Australia, an organisation which assists families in developing countries to work their way out of poverty and create a new future for generations to come. Gemma has served as a non-exec director of Surf Life Saving WA, The Salvation Army of WA and The Starlight Children’s Foundation.

Bill Johnston was sworn in as the Mines and Petroleum, Commerce and Industrial Relations, Electoral Affairs, and our State’s first Asian Engagement Minister in March 2017. Bill is also the Member for Cannington, having held this position since September 2008.

Prior to entering Parliament, he spent seven years as the State Secretary of WA Labor, four years as Shadow Minister for Mines and Petroleum, and five years as Shadow Energy and State Development Minister. He was also a former senior official of the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees’ Association, where he fought for fairness for low-paid workers in industrial rights, workers compensation and working conditions.

Dan van Holst Pellekaan was elected to the South Australian Parliament as the Member for Stuart in 2010. He was appointed as the Minister for Energy and Mining in the Marshall Government, in March 2018. Dan previously served as the Shadow Minister for Energy and Mineral Resources from 2014 to 2018 and has developed a broad understanding of these portfolios.

Dan was born in Australia after his father migrated from Holland in 1937. Growing up, he enjoyed playing sport and eventually made it to the National Basketball League, playing four seasons with Hobart Devils. During his basketball career, Dan completed a Bachelor of Economics which later led to a career change with BP Australia where he worked for more than ten years.

Dan moved to Pimba in the state’s mid north and ran numerous roadhouses before relocating to Wilmington to be with his now wife, Rebecca. Dan is passionate about regional communities and has been a volunteer CFS member for his local brigade. Dan is a devoted Uncle to ten nieces and nephews and three god children.

Nicole is a born and bred Territorian, passionate about making a positive difference in her community. Nicole won the seat of Wanguri in a by-election in February 2013, following the retirement of the previous member and former Chief Minister Paul Henderson.

As a member of the Gunner Government, Nicole serves in the roles of Deputy Chief Minister, Treasurer, Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services and Minister for Multicultural Affairs. Nicole is a proud local and grew up in the electorate. She went to local schools including Holy Spirit School, Dripstone Middle School and Casuarina Senior College before attending Curtin University and studying Journalism and Public Relations.

Nicole is a strong contributor to public and community life. She has worked in the NT public sector and in the WA private sector in communications and human resources. She has also worked as a media advisor and a senior government advisor.

A very keen sportswoman, Nicole loves netball and played and coached for the Waratah Netball Club for many years. She has won two premierships with the Waratah Football Club. Nicole still enjoys running to keep herself fit and active.

Nicole lives in the Wanguri electorate with her husband Scott and their children Aiden, Grace and Chloe.

Before entering Parliament as the Member for Townsville in 2015, Mr Stewart worked in education for 28 years, serving as a principal and teacher in several high schools. Upon his election in October 2015, he served as the Chair of the Education, Tourism, Innovation and Small Business Committee and as deputy speaker.

Scott and his family have lived in Townsville for over 20 years and in that time has watched the city grow into a vibrant hub of north Queensland.

During his time in education Mr Stewart established a ‘boxing’ program at one of his schools, aimed at helping underachieving indigenous students re-engage with schooling by learning how to control their frustrations through the discipline of boxing. He remains passionate about education and supporting schools – both staff and students.

Mr Stewart is also passionate about the resource sector, with his great grandfather Walter John Davidson being one of the original Mount Isa mine workers in the 1920s.

He holds a Bachelor of Education and a master’s degree from the Queensland University of Technology.

In his spare time Scott loves spending time with his family, attending his beloved North Queensland Cowboys home games and is an active participant within the community, volunteering his time as a Rotarian as well as sitting on several committees including the NQ Stadium Activation Group, Community Aviation Consultation Group, CBD Taskforce, Regional Economic Development Sub-Committee, Palm Island Economic Development and Palm Island Liveability Project.