Drugs Policy & Reform

Deliver high quality and timely advice and correspondence to the Minister and Executives on a broad range of social, industry and regulatory policy issues.Provide policy advice and support to the Ministerial Council on Liquor Control:- Develop the final report and recommendations for the review of Victoria’s regulation of online liquor sales and deliveries, including legislative reforms- Draft discussion papers for senior industry and community stakeholders on the review of online liquor sales and the Packaged Liquor Code of Conduct- Manage LCAC meeting logistics, liaising closely with industry representatives.Mentor and manage the performance of the team’s graduate policy officer.

Provided expert advice to the Minister and Executives on gambling licensing and regulation issues, including the department submission and Secretary briefings for the 2014 PAEC hearing on problem gambling strategies.Prepared policy papers, final report and recommendations for the Ministerial Council on Responsible Gambling to improve safeguards for minors in gambling venues, and implemented new decision-making guidelines and codes of conduct.Developed legislation and regulation to: - Prohibit bookmakers employing people with criminal backgrounds- Reduce harm from to gaming loyalty scheme participants- Streamline gaming industry employee licensing, including the regulatory change measurement report projecting industry savings of $1.5m per annum- Enable the collection of unclaimed gaming machine winnings, to increase state revenue and reduce the burden on business.Acted as a policy team manager and mentored policy officers and analysts.

Led an 18-month project to consult with industry, develop and implement major legislative reform of the Victorian racing industry integrity structure, including the:- new Office of the Racing Integrity Commissioner- new disciplinary and appeals bodies for harness and greyhound racing- abolition of the racing appeals tribunal and transfer of its jurisdiction to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.Authored the Minister’s speaking points for possible parliamentary questions.Prepared a report for the Minister with significant reform options to consolidate Victoria’s racing industry governance arrangements.

Managed requests for tender and probity reporting for high-value contracts.Successful completion of three placements across the Victorian Government:- Economic Policy Branch – Department of Premier and Cabinet - International Business and Export – Regional Development- Contracts and Procurement – Victoria Police.Advised the Premier on productivity and regulatory policy issues including the Small Business Ministerial Council and National Competition Council.Wrote the submission to the Council for the Australian Federation on the proposal to extend and synchronise daylight savings in South-East Australia.Managed three joint government-industry public seminars providing financial advice and assistance to businesses for exporting to Asian markets.

Contributed to delivery of the $2 billion federal industry, tourism and resources portfolio budget. Developed submissions influencing government decision-making on major resources policies and projects, including a proposed flow through shares scheme and a major BHP mine expansion.Prepared costings, briefings and coordination comments on Budget policy proposals relating to tourism, innovation, biotechnology, regulation, codes of conduct, mining and energy.