Keynote Panel: Seismic shifts | Gas, exploration and the economy

The Hon Lia Finocchiaro MLA is a born and bred Territorian with an enduring love for the Territory. She is focused on rebuilding the Territory and restoring our reputation as a great place to live, work, visit and invest. Lia understands the huge responsibility she carries to help grow the Territory for future generations and will fiercely protect the Territory lifestyle and fight to deliver a strong economy. Elected to Parliament in August 2012 at the age of 27, Mrs Finocchiaro has served in many roles including Deputy Leader, Government Whip, Chair of the Public Accounts Committee and member of the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee. She became Leader of the Opposition in February 2020, leading the party to grow from two members to an eight-member strong parliamentary team, at the August 2020 General Election. Over the last 4 years, her team has proven itself to be a formidable and effective alternative government. In August 2024, Mrs Finocchiaro became the CLP’s first female Chief Minister of the Northern Territory, leading the party to a resounding win at the general election, resulting in 17 CLP members being elected. Lia Finocchiaro is a proud local, growing up and attending local primary and senior schools before obtaining two Bachelor degrees (Law and International Studies) in Adelaide. After her return to the Territory, her professional career included working with a top tier national law firm and then a smaller local firm, specialising in commercial litigation. Prior to joining politics, the Chief Minister was named as an Australian of the Year Young Achiever (NT) finalist for her leadership as President of Business and Professional Women (Darwin) and Secretary of the Palmerston Regional Business Association. The Chief Minister is focused on the priorities she and her team have brought to government – reduce crime, rebuild the economy and restore our lifestyle. Outside of politics the Chief Minister enjoys the unique NT lifestyle with her two beautiful children, Isaac and Isla and her husband, Sam.

Sue McCarrey Joined NOPSEMA as the Chief Executive Officer in February 2023 following 8 years as the Chief Executive and National Rail Safety Regulator at the Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator. A career of over 40 years in Government, Sue has held a range of roles across Education, including time as a school principal, the Public Transport Authority and as Deputy Director General of Policy, Planning and Investment at the WA Department of Transport. In these roles, Sue developed experience and expertise in government policy and regulatory frameworks and risk management in safety and environmental management, which she applies in her current role. Sue holds a Bachelor of Law from Murdoch University, a Masters of Education from Edith Cowan University, and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Sue is a member of the National Association of Women in Operations, National Women in Transport, and is a Fellow of the Institute of Public Administration.

Noel Newell is the founder of 3D Energi and has over 40 years’ experience in the oil and gas industry, with 20 years of this time with BHP Billiton and Petrofina. With these companies, he has been technically involved in exploration of areas around the globe, particularly Southeast Asia, and all major Australian offshore basins. Prior to leaving BHP Billiton in 2002, Noel was Principal Geologist, working within the southern Margin Group and primarily responsible for exploration within the Gippsland Basin. Immediately prior to starting 3D Energi he was a technical advisor to Nexus Energy Limited and directly involved in their move to explore in the offshore of the Gippsland Basin. Noel is a Director of Australian Energy Producers.

Andrew Richards has over 30 years of energy industry and infrastructure development experience having held a variety of senior management roles in the areas of sales and marketing, public and stakeholder relations, media and communications, strategic planning, policy development and political advocacy. For the last 9 years, Andrew has been Chief Executive Officer of the Energy Users Association of Australia (EUAA). The EUAA is the peak national body representing Australian commercial and industrial electricity and gas users. EUAA membership covers a broad cross-section of the Australian economy including significant retail, manufacturing, mining, materials and food processing industries. Under his leadership the EUAA has positioned itself as a highly respected thought leader and advisor to energy industry players, regulators and governments and is recognised by stakeholders as a strong advocate for energy users. Immediately prior to his current role at the EUAA, Andrew spent 15 years in the renewable energy industry as Head of External Affairs at one of Australia’s first renewable energy companies, Pacific Hydro. Andrew was a founding director of the Clean Energy Council having been Chair of the Australian Wind Energy Association and Deputy Chair of the Business Council for Sustainable Energy.

Darren Stevenson has been with Senex Energy for more than twelve years building the company from a small Cooper Basin oil business to a material east coast natural gas producer committed to delivering essential energy for life. Darren has nearly 30 years of experience in Queensland’s natural gas industry delivering major capital expansion projects and was responsible for commissioning some of the very first connections between Surat Basin gas fields and the South East Queensland market. Darren is recognised for his proactive leadership in landholder and community engagement. His dedication to regional support, creating youth employment opportunities, and fostering win-win solutions has led to lasting connections and partnerships. He is passionate about the role that reliable energy plays in supporting our modern lifestyle, including the essential role of natural gas to support the energy transition.

Samantha McCulloch is the Chief Executive of Australian Energy Producers, the peak national body representing Australia’s explorers, developers and producers of essential energy – oil, gas and lower-emission fuels. An internationally recognised carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) expert, Ms McCulloch has a highly informed view of the critical role the oil and gas industry continues to play in meeting global energy and climate goals. Before joining APPEA in 2022, she spent 7 years at the International Energy Agency including 4 years as head of the CCUS Unit. Ms McCulloch has more than 20 years of policy, industry and technical expertise from previous roles within government, industry associations and the private sector in Australia and internationally. She holds a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) and Bachelor of Commerce (with Distinction) from the University of Wollongong, as well as a Master of Public Policy from the Australian National University.