Industry gathered in Brisbane in early October to consider what role we – as a member-led organisation of operator and contractor partner companies – play in shaping the future of safety in the Australian Energy Production Industry.

The future of our industry was epitomised by our event MC, Carley Kunde (Cadet Mechatronic Engineer, Ventia), who one could suggest was born into our industry via her father, a Supervisor at Ventia. 

Carley warmly welcomed guests, sharing her personal journey and perspective on our industry, before handing over to Joanna Groves (CEO, inGauge Energy and Co-Chair Contractors, Safer Together Safety Leaders Group) to open the Forum.  Jo shared her considered and thoughtful perspective on the status quo when it comes to safety in our industry.

Carley returned to welcome our keynote speaker Rachelle Cooper Kulkarni (CEO, Sustainify) to the stage for her presentation, ‘Creating a Safe Future Together – Why we must get ready for what’s next.’.  Following a pulse-check with the audience, gauging how everyone is feeling about the future, she went on to remind everyone of the importance of thinking differently about safety in our industry during a time of transition.

A fantastic Panel Discussion ‘The Future of Safety from the Operator Perspective’ followed, hosted by Kevin Geddert (Director Data Analytics, Genuine Insight), with panellists Tom Radzevicius (Vice President Operations EAPNG, Santos), Anton Verdel (Chief Operating Officer, Arrow Energy), Krishna Venkatesan (Vice President, QGC), and Austin Thayer (General Manager – Asset East, Origin Energy).

Following a short break, Carley returned to introduce our ‘Feedback from the Frontline Leaders Forum’, hosted by Tracey Fields (Health and Safety Advisor, Arrow Energy), and panellists Amelia Forest (Maintenance Supervisor, Shell QGC), Steve Diehm (Area Team Leader, Santos) and Tanya Harding (HSE Senior Advisor, Wood).

Tracey began the session with a wrap-up from the morning’s Frontline Leaders Forum – where our Frontline Leaders discussed ‘What role do Frontline Leaders play in shaping the future of safety in our Industry?’

Frontline leaders see their role playing an important part in:

  • Building a positive safety culture,
  • Safely managing innovation, and
  • Leading and building multi-generational teams.

Our Frontline Leader Panellists also shared with Senior Leaders their most pressing current and emerging concerns when it comes to the safety of themselves and the teams they lead.  This included managing fatigue, mental health and perceived pressure, addressing the lack of, loss and transfer of experience, and the use of technology and AI. 

And finally, the clear message from the Frontline Leaders to ISF delegates was their wish for Senior Leaders to engage with the younger workforce in similar forums, to provide mentoring and development opportunities, and to be visible and engage with the field-based teams.

Tracey then stayed at the microphone to lead an interactive audience session, ‘Let’s Talk About the Future’.  So far during the day, we explored and learned what the future might look like; discussed impacts on leadership, the importance of collaboration, and heard insights from Frontline and Senior Leaders. Now it was time to talk about it with this opportunity to reflect, share, and collaborate with your peers.

To get the audience talking, she asked the tables to discuss topics including:

  • What are your key takeaways regarding Frontline Leaders and Senior Leaders working together?
  • What’s one barrier that still gets in the way of operator-contractor collaboration? How can we remove it?
  • What’s one innovation Safer Together could introduce that would transform safety leadership?
  • How can Safer Together best support members in the future?

To close the Forum Dan Clark (CEO, APLNG) nicely summarised the day, thanking the audience for their attendance and participation, before delegates retired to a networking session.