Three new expert members have been appointed to the Advisory Board of the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA).

“The Advisory Board provides advice and makes recommendations to NOPSEMA as Australia's independent expert regulator of safety and environmental management for offshore oil and gas activities,” Minister Canavan said.

“Incoming Advisory Board Chair, Dr Erica Smyth, and new members Professor Melinda Hodkiewicz and Mr Anthony Evans bring significant expertise and experience in the industry.”

“Current board member Dr Jim Limerick has also been reappointed.

“Board members have a mix of skills in safety risk management, stakeholder engagement and the environment.

“The new members will ensure that the board continues to provide quality advice and recommendations on high-level policy and strategic matters affecting Australia’s offshore petroleum industry.

“I would like to thank outgoing Chair, Mr Keith Spence, and member Dr Jan Hayes, for their significant contributions to the board since 2010. Mr Spence’s advice guided the regulator through its expansion of responsibilities from NOPSA to NOPSEMA in 2012.

“The period of Mr Spence’s leadership has seen significant improvement in the occupational health and safety performance of the offshore oil and gas industry, together with a step change in environmental management.”

The new appointments ensure that the NOPSEMA Board maintains its gender balance, with an equal number of female and male members, in line with government policy.

Appointees’ profiles

Dr Erica Smyth

Dr Erica Smyth has significant executive and senior management experience in the offshore petroleum sector, and strong credentials in the technology and engineering sectors. Her appointment will ensure that the Board can draw on experience and expertise relating to maritime matters affecting the Australian offshore petroleum industry.

Dr Smyth is a Non-Executive Director of National Energy Resources Australia and Non-Executive Director of Deep Explorations CRC.

Professor Melinda Hodkiewicz

Professor Melinda Hodkiewicz, of the School of Engineering at the University of Western Australia, has strong credentials in safety risk management, asset management and systems operations. Her expertise will ensure the Board retains skills in safety risk management, and can to draw on a robust understanding of domestic and international practices and trends.

Mr Anthony Evans

Mr Anthony Evans has substantial executive and senior management experience in the oil and gas industry, with a particular focus on stakeholder engagement and regulatory compliance. This experience in stakeholder engagement will complement NOPSEMA’s ongoing efforts to improve consultation and engagement mechanisms, and increase community confidence in NOSPEMA as regulator in the offshore petroleum sector.

Mr Evans is a member of the Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Committee.

Dr Jim Limerick

As a member of the WA Environmental Protection Authority Board, Dr Jim Limerick has substantial experience providing strategic and policy advice on resources matters across government and industry bodies places him well to continue to contribute to the Board’s advice going forward.