Ashley Gardiner Email & Phone Number

Melbourne, Vic, Au

Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia

Melbourne

Melbourne

Provided strategic communications advice and counsel to support the strategic imperatives of the business, both programmed activity and reactive, including policy analysis and development, and led the government engagement agenda.The sale of Lion Dairy and Drinks to Bega Cheese Limited was completed in January 2021.The role included:► Development and implementation of business communications strategies, plans and processes to support delivery of the overarching business strategy, particularly the critical must-win priorities of the business.► Development, implementation, measurement and advice on best practice business communications to uphold and enhance employee engagement, and corporate and brand reputation.► Development and driving the Government Relations strategy of the business to ensure an enduring social licence to operate.► Leading external engagement opportunities with government, regulators and industry to enhance reputation and ensure a position on key regulatory issues to drive objectives of the business.► Ongoing policy development, in line with global and national research, including preparation of content for submissions, business positions and ensuring timely maintenance of review and update.► Establishing and maintaining strong working relationships with core federal and state government stakeholders, including Members of Parliament, departmental representatives and advisers.► Oversight of marketing activities to maintain best-practice reputation protection of brands and the business as a whole.

Sydney

Worked as a senior member of the Premier Gladys Berejiklian’s Office, acting in the role of media director when required, and overseeing media issues across the Health, Justice and Transport portfolios. I was a member of the 2019 election headquarters media team; and worked closely with the Premier during the devastating 2019-20 NSW bushfire season.Role included:► Media/communications strategy, planning and execution for the state of NSW► Proactive media strategy► Communications strategy, planning and execution for major legislative reform► Media event management and other tactical initiatives► Media relations ► Major media and other contentious communications issues management► Media enquiry management and interview requests - radio and television► Briefing the Premier ahead of media events and other key issues► Reporting directly to the Premier on current media inquiries in a highly confidential environment► Stakeholder relations and collaboration - policy, parliamentary and strategy advisers, Ministers, and other departmental officials► Reputation management

Sydney

In this role, I managed communications and media relations for the Minister responsible for administration of all Crown land across NSW, regulation of the forestry industry, and overseeing a major State-owned enterprise, Forestry Corporation of NSW. The Minister’s responsibilities also included regulation of the racing industry, and regulation of the liquor, hospitality, and gaming industries. Key contentious issues included the rescinding of a ban on greyhound racing in NSW and the rollback of lockout laws in Sydney.Role included:► Communications strategy, planning and execution for major legislative reform► Media relations ► Proactive media outreach► Media enquiry management► Major media and other contentious communications issues management► Company reputation management► Stakeholder relations - with important internal and external sector contacts► Media management for key government initiatives regarding liquor and gaming regulation

Sydney

Managed media and strategy for key government reform initiatives and milestone announcements in local government including parliamentary strategy, pre-Question Time briefings and speech writing for the NSW Minister for Local Government. Had responsibilities across all local government areas and related legislation in NSW, the most primary being the Local Government Act 1993. At the time, the Minister was leading a key NSW Government reform initiative to reduce the number of councils through mergers.Role included:► Strategic media advice to the Minister - across metropolitan, regional, and statewide markets► Media advisory and support services to backbench MPs on portfolio issues► Communications strategy and execution for wide scale reform following council mergers and other restructures mandated by the Premier► Media relations► Major media and other contentious communications issues management - to counter negative media campaigning► Change management and media relations reform

Sydney

Tasked with lifting the media profile of Australia’s peak infrastructure organisation - an independent think tank and executive member network and industry body spanning the public and private sectors. I was successful in lifting the organisation’s media profile and increasing the overall volume of media hits. I achieved live TV coverage of key presentations from the premier annual conference by packaging content in a media-friendly format and leveraging existing journalist networks. Role included:► Communications strategy and execution – including writing and distributing weekly newsletter, speeches for the CEO and media statements► Speech writing for CEO► Media relations - with key journalists in a crowded marketplace of interest groups► Proactive media outreach► Media enquiry management► Major media and other contentious communications issues management► Stakeholder relations - with important sector contacts► Event management of annual conference► Social media - strategy and content development for Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn

Melbourne

Advised the Minister for Health within one of the most demanding portfolios in Government, dealing with high volumes of media inquiries regarding all hospitals, health services, ambulance services and medical research. I effectively dealt with major issues, including the ambulance Enterprise Bargaining Agreement process, public hospital operational issues and support for the Minister as host of the 2014 International AIDS Conference.Role included:► Government relations ► Media relations► Media enquiry management► Major media and other contentious communications issues management► Crisis management► Ensuring patently false claims were not published by various media outlets► Government and Department of Health reputation management► Stakeholder relations► Event management – for media and other stakeholders► Accompanying the minister to events

Melbourne

Worked across two ministerial offices in the education portfolio, a demanding role requiring familiarity with issues and legislation concerning school operations, curriculum development, higher education, and vocational training across schools, TAFE, and the state's public universities and training providers.Role included:► Government relations ► Media relations ► Major media and other contentious communications issues management► Government reputation► Enterprise bargaining process management ► Gonski school funding negotiations with the Commonwealth Government► Controversial communications management related to controversial reform in education

Melbourne

Worked as a news reporter for the Herald Sun, Australia's largest-selling daily newspaper based in Melbourne, Australia.Role Highlights:► Reported on breaking news and other investigations► Wrote articles - opinion writing, Freedom of Information research and live blogging► Worked in the police rounds and courts► Used social media to promote newspaper coverage and gather new sources of information► Transport reporter► Politics reporter – including a period jointly heading the bureau► Invited to appear on radio and television to promote the newspaper► Stakeholder engagement with a strong network of contacts developed across Victorian political and transport spheres

Master Of Public Policy

Graduate Certificate, Digital Communication Strategy

Graduate Certificate, Public Policy

Bachelor Of Arts (Ba), Journalism