Australia-Canada Power Partnership Boardroom Briefing

Australia-Canada Power Partnership

Boardroom Briefing

The CACC will be hosting a private boardroom briefing in Perth with TransAlta’s visiting leadership team, bringing together senior industry executives to examine the evolving energy landscape across Australia and Canada.

With approximately 77% of Canada's electricity generated from renewable and nuclear sources and renewables accounting for 42% of Australia's on-grid electricity generation in 2025, both countries are navigating critical challenges around energy security, infrastructure investment, affordability and industrial competitiveness.

The discussion will explore how Australia and Canada can leverage their respective energy expertise, investment capital and industrial capabilities to deliver more reliable, affordable and competitive power systems, while identifying opportunities for deeper bilateral collaboration.

Please note: CACC Boardroom Briefings are invitation-only, closed-door discussions limited to a maximum of 30 senior leaders. These intimate forums are designed to facilitate candid dialogue, meaningful engagement and high-level exchange between industry decision-makers. Attendance is strictly by invitation and subject to confirmation by the CACC. 

To be announced November 2026.

Gehann Perera

Partner

MINTERELLISON

Gehann Perera is a Partner at MinterEllison's Perth office. He manages a general real estate and finance practice with a specific focus on structured real estate transactions.

Gehann's clients are primarily developers and funds that undertake large scale residential, commercial and industrial projects, including urban renewal developments. He also acts for owners in relation to the acquisition, development and operation of retail shopping centres. This extends to all aspects of retail leasing. In addition, he has extensive experience acting for financiers and borrowers in real estate and corporate finance transactions. Gehann enjoys working with clients to find innovative methods of procuring and delivering real estate projects.

Melissa Wharton

Chief Executive Officer

Canadian Australian Chamber of Commerce

Melissa Wharton is the Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Australian Chamber of Commerce (CACC), the peak bilateral business body advancing trade, capital flows and strategic partnerships between Canada and Australia.

She is widely recognised as a leading advocate for deeper economic integration between the two countries, working at the intersection of government, institutional investors and industry. Under her leadership, the CACC convenes senior ministers, pension funds, superannuation leaders and global corporates across priority sectors including institutional investment, critical minerals, infrastructure, energy transition, defence and advanced manufacturing. The Chamber is the only bilateral organisation with active operations and governance presence in both countries.

Melissa is a dual citizen and a recognised advocate for strengthening economic ties between Canada and Australia.

Jackie Leggett

Co-Chair

CACC WESTERN AUSTRALIA COMMITTEE

Jackie Leggett is a senior banking and finance lawyer at the global law firm Clifford Chance LLP, based in Perth. She regularly advises national and international corporate clients and financial institutions on a wide variety of financing structures, with an emphasis on project finance. Her main sectors of focus are mining and natural resources (including renewables).  Jackie is originally from Toronto, Canada and holds legal qualifications in Ontario, Canada, England Wales, NSW Australia and New York State. In her spare time, Jackie enjoys exploring WA's beautiful beaches with her husband and two children.

Tara Roy

Co-Chair

CACC WESTERN AUSTRALIA COMMITTEE

Tara Roy is the current Corporate Finance Lead at South32, a globally diversified metals and mining company with operations in Australia, South Africa and South America, as well as development operations in North America. Tara is responsible for executing the group’s corporate finance strategic objectives. This includes providing input to the Group’s financing, liquidity, capital management and risk management activities.

Prior to joining South32, Tara spent several years at KPMG Australia focused on debt and capital advisory services to clients across the mining, energy, infrastructure, healthcare, government and property sectors, amongst others. Prior to KPMG, Tara spent over a decade in the banking sector in both Australia and Canada.

Tara loves to travel with her husband Chris, often back to their birthplaces in Canada to reconnect with family and friends.