Advancing Net Zero

Elizabeth Molyneux is the Deputy Secretary, Energy and commenced in the role in October 2022. With 25 years of experience in energy markets and policy reform, including as a senior executive at AGL Energy, Elizabeth has demonstrated significant expertise in energy wholesale and retail markets, network regulation, new energy technologies and consumer protection frameworks.

Elizabeth brings a strong focus on consumer outcomes in a dynamic period of change and transition in Victorian and national energy systems. With her background, Elizabeth is well placed to support the Victorian Government’s leadership in energy policy and programs, new energy supply chain investments, regional economic development opportunities and the decarbonisation of gas, transport and industrial systems in Victoria.

Elizabeth also holds a Bachelor of Science and post graduate qualifications in Economics and Applied Finance and Investment.

Natalie is a dynamic and highly motivated Executive with a strategic mindset. Natalie is Deputy Secretary of Strategy and Precincts at the Department of Transport and Planning.

Natalie has had a diverse career with senior executive roles in local and state government. In her current role, she leads the strategy underpinning the creation of Melbourne’s transport precincts.

Natalie thrives on her ability to build, lead and grow highly constructive, engaged and aligned teams that achieve outstanding results.

Natalie has enjoyed a diverse career and leverages this breadth on a day to day basis. Today, Natalie’s focus is on bringing the Transport Precincts to fruition, as well as developing and providing excellence in linking transport plans to the broader stakeholder cohort.

Natalie’s team seeks to translate transport and land use visions (strategies, policies & plans) into practice through collaboration with stakeholders and providing guidance and requirements for the planning, improvement, maintenance and operation of transport precincts and the transport network.

Natalie enjoys pondering behavioural management and how a sense of place impacts on the lives of community.

With over 30 years of experience in the social services community welfare sector, Gavin currently holds the position of Manager, Policy and Research, at St Vincent de Paul Society, Victoria. In this role, he spearheads initiatives in social research, policy evaluation, and advocacy, ensuring vulnerable communities have access to these vital services.

Gavin is also a consumer representative of a number of industry and government committees including: Yarra Valley Water community advisory group; Victorian, NSW electricity and gas distribution company consultative committees; and a member of the AER and ESC customer consultative groups. He is also a Board member of Energy Consumers Australia and a previous member of the AEMC reliability panel and AEMO’s ISP consumer panel.

Tess Fitzgerald works at the forefront of decarbonisation in Australia’s energy sector. As a partner in KPMG’s Infrastructure, Assets, and Places group, Tess leads energy policy and commercial projects, driving programs aimed at transitioning Australia’s energy system. Prior to KPMG, Tess started her career at Allens spending a decade working on energy and resource projects in Australia before leading on complex technical, digital and commercial teams across the Australian Energy Market Operator’s (AEMO) innovation and demonstration programs to address challenges of the decarbonising electricity systems. Tess draws on her current and prior experience with industry and in law, working extensively with state and Commonwealth governments, industry partners and market institutions to plot a new path for Australia’s energy in the 21st Century.

James is a passionate and experienced leader with a multi-disciplinary background. At the executive level he has ten years experience across both private and public sectors. He is a respected and trusted advisor with a strategic understanding of business.

James was most recently the Director Social and Economic Development at Yarra Ranges Council. Before, he held manager roles at Monash City Council and Banyule City Council. He has also spent time in senior leadership roles in the private sector in Australia and abroad.

James holds a Bachelor of Applied Science, Master of Business, is a Company Directors Course graduate and has formal accreditation in Coaching, Change Management and Six Sigma. Experienced in corporate governance, he has held board roles on Parks and Leisure Australia, Outer East Primary Care, Anchor Housing/Out of Home Care and Yarra Ranges Tourism.

James is also currently on the Committee of Management for the National Growth Areas Alliance.

Glen Brennan, a Gomeroi man from Narrabri in northern NSW, is a Partner in KPMG’s Enterprise division and leads KPMG Indigenous Services. He is focused on assisting Indigenous enterprises to achieve their strategic objectives. Glen has over 20 year’s experience in banking and the public sector in Australia with a strong focus on Indigenous development. His experience includes working closely with entrepreneurs to ensure their growth aspirations come to fruition through working capital, cash flow management, business lending and investments. Glen’s project experience spans major corporates and the public sector, including traditional owners, community organisations and remote and regional initiatives. Additionally, he has worked with private family businesses, financial and professional services, government and not-for-profits.   Glen is Chairman of Aboriginal Employment Strategy, a 100 percent Indigenous managed national not-for-profit recruitment company.