Business Matters: Powering Queensland - Reliability, Resilience and Opportunity

Meet the Speakers

• More details about Brian Parker, Chief Economist, Australian Retirement Trust

  Brian Parker, Chief Economist, Australian Retirement Trust

  Brian joined Australian Retirement Trust in June 2015 as Chief Economist. Prior to joining, Brian worked in a series of economics, asset allocation, and communications roles with a range of firms, including Rothschild, JP Morgan, Citigroup, MLC, and the Reserve Bank of Australia, in a career spanning more than 30 years. Brian has an honours degree in economics from the University of Queensland, where he also taught macroeconomics and is a Chartered Financial Analyst. In addition to his investment day job, he presents on economic and investment matters to a wide range of audiences across Australia, and over the years has addressed audiences across Asia, and in New Zealand, France, the Middle East and the UK.

• More details about Meg Morgan, Partner, Mergers & Acquisitions, Corporate and Commercial, McCullough Robertson

  Meg Morgan, Partner, Mergers & Acquisitions, Corporate and Commercial, McCullough Robertson

  Meg is experienced in unregulated mergers and acquisitions and advises clients across all aspects of a transaction, from due diligence, sale agreements, loan and security arrangements to complex legislative and advisory work. Acting almost exclusively for clients in the energy and natural resources industry, with a focus on critical minerals, coal, and gas, Meg leads strategic M&A transactions for public and private clients in Australia, and for clients investing in Australia (as a member of the firm’s Foreign Investment team), advising on foreign acquirers’ obligations under foreign investment regulation. Meg manages a range of transactions, drafting and negotiating complex commercial arrangements, and provides ongoing advice on a range of general commercial matters, including joint ventures, royalties, offtake agreements, and confidentiality obligations.

• More details about Bob Gee, National Fuel Supply Taskforce, Cross-Border Commissioner

  Bob Gee, National Fuel Supply Taskforce, Cross-Border Commissioner

  Bob has served the public and represented the interests of regional and rural communities for over 40 years to improve economic outcomes, community resilience and service delivery, including as Queensland’s Cross Border Commissioner since January 2026. Bob has previously served as Director-General across various Queensland Government departments with broad responsibilities including Youth Justice and Victim Support, Employment, Small Business and Training, and Primary Industries. Bob served in the police service from 1986 to 2019, progressing to the rank of Deputy Police Commissioner in the Queensland Police Service and the State Disaster Coordinator. Bob has extensive experience working with industry, business, elected officials, peak bodies and community members including being the Chair of the Family Responsibilities Board, a board member of various entities including the Queensland Reconstruction Authority and was the Queensland Police Service Indigenous Champion.

• More details about Professor Adrian Panow Director, Energy Transition Network, The University of Queensland

  Professor Adrian Panow Director, Energy Transition Network, The University of Queensland

  Working with over 400 researchers in energy transition topics, as the Director, Energy Transition Network at The University of Queensland, Adrian provides strategic leadership for research activities and corporate energy initiatives across UQ to align research direction and internal capabilities with external priorities. Adrian has international private and public sector expertise in business and technology development, joint ventures, commercialisation, policy implementation and program leadership. Previous roles have included, Director Major Projects, Melbourne Energy Institute, University of Melbourne, Board Member, Wannon Water Corporation (supplying water and sewage services to 80,000 customers in South-West Victoria), Director, Deakin Energy, Deakin University (delivering over $40m of solar, storage and hydrogen infrastructure), Chief Technology Officer, Flexible Drive, Strategic Advisor, Terajoule Corporation Inc., State Government of Victoria, Australia: Director Earth Resources Development and Director Energy Investment and Programs and Bonlac Foods Limited, International Business Development Manager - Bioscience. Adrian holds a Bachelor of Applied Science (Applied Chemistry/Biochemistry) degree, Graduate Certificate in Business Administration, a Doctorate in Industrial biotechnology (steelworks coal waste bioprocessing) and is a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.