The Minister for Resources and Energy, Martin Ferguson AM MP, today announced the appointment of Ms Jane Cutler as the new National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority (NOPSA) Chief Executive Officer.
Mr Kym Bills has also been appointed as a member of the NOPSA Board.
Minister Ferguson said: “As the new CEO, Ms Cutler will bring to NOPSA outstanding strategic leadership and managerial skills based on her considerable experience as a senior executive in various industry posts.”
Ms Cutler has over 27 years of diverse experience in the petroleum and financial services industries, her most recent position being as a senior executive for Woodside Energy.
Before joining Woodside, Ms Cutler was CEO and Managing Director of Plum Financial Services and previously CEO of JMIFA SuperPartners.
Ms Cutler’s qualifications include a Master of Business Administration, Master of Environmental Studies and Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical and Materials).
“Mr Simon Schubach has been acting CEO since 1 July and I thank him for his hard work and leadership, particularly in carrying out NOPSA’s statutory functions with respect to the Montara oil field incident.
“Mr Schubach will continue to play a leading role in the response until the leaking well is shut in, safe and normal operations at Montara are resumed, and NOPSA’s investigation of the incident is complete.”
With respect to the NOPSA Board appointment, Minister Ferguson said: “Mr Bills will bring to the NOPSA Board extensive knowledge and experience in major incident investigation and safety regulation in major hazardous industries, particularly transport.
“His skills will complement existing members' expertise and enhance the Board’s capacity to provide policy advice to me and the Ministerial Council on Mineral and Petroleum Resources (MCMPR).
Mr Bills recently completed an appointment as the Commonwealth’s expert panel member for the Inquiry into Offshore Petroleum Safety Regulation.
Minister Ferguson also noted: “The MCMPR is absolutely committed to a safety regime for Australia's offshore petroleum industry that is world's best practice. While the recent Inquiry found the safety case regime remains the most appropriate policy basis for regulating offshore petroleum safety, it also found that implementation can be improved. The new CEO will have a pivotal and strategic role in advancing Australia’s offshore petroleum safety culture and regime.
“The NOPSA Board also has an important role to play in building a supportive relationship with the incoming CEO as well as providing advice to me – and the MCMPR – as we work together to lift the bar on occupational health and safety performance in the offshore petroleum industry and make Australia the world leader in the field.”
The MCMPR will consult with the industry and respond to the detailed findings and recommendations of the recent Inquiry by the end of November 2009 with a view to introducing appropriate legislative amendments in early 2010.
For further information on NOPSA visit www.nopsa.gov.au.
Media contact: Michael Bradley – 0420 371 744