Martin Wallace Email and Phone Number

I oversee the project management of NBN Co’s suite of corporate reporting documents, including presentation of financial results, create a pipeline of stories documenting nbn’s progress in sustainability and emissions avoidance and support the executive team with speech writing, events rehearsals, strategic media advice and key written communications. I deliver impactful and creative content that demonstrates how the company’s technology and products support the digital transformation of Australia’s economy and society. I play a lead strategic communications role, including reputation, issues and crisis management and take a proactive approach to media relations.

I helped grow TPG Telecom’s visibility and influence across traditional and online media and all levels of government through integrated and proactive approaches to content development on all communications channels across the company’s family of brands. I also managed relationships and engagement with Federal and State MP’s offices and the Department of Communications in relation to network coverage, infrastructure deployment and constituents’ service issues.

I helped build Optus' reputation as a trusted service delivery organisation across all levels of government through effective stakeholder engagement and issues management. Led Optus’ involvement in the Minderoo Foundation’s Fire & Flood Resilience working group as part of the company’s efforts to make the network more resilient to climate change and extreme weather events. I oversaw the resolution of inquiries and issues from Federal and State MP’s offices and the Department of Communications in relation to coverage, infrastructure deployment and constituents’ service issues and I provided advice across the business on the best levers to engage in working with government stakeholders.

I led a high performing department of 50 staff in Media, Communications, Web and Correspondence and the daily management of a $4.5 million cost centre to support the City's key programs, policy and operational priorities through the creation of positive media and communications strategies. WE helped safeguard reputation and build customer trust. I provided strategic and operational guidance to the CEO and senior leadership team on contentious and emerging issues, proactively identified and created effective issues mitigation strategies. I also led the planning and production of media opportunities, speeches, media releases, media responses, correspondence and briefing notes for the Lord Mayor.

I helped influence policy decisions favourable to Optus’ business priorities through lobbying efforts and written submissions to inquiries at State and Federal Government level. I helped mitigate contentious issues likely to impact on Optus’ business interests and turned them round to commercially satisfactory outcomes. Resolution of inquiries and issues from Federal and State MP’s offices and the Department of Communications in relation to coverage, infrastructure deployment and constituents’ service issues. Managed Optus’ compliance with annual Australian Electoral Commission Political Donation Returns.

During my tenure as a senior Ministerial advisor, I held several positions including Senior Media Advisor, Deputy Chief of Staff and Chief of Staff for the following Ministers:o Minister for Police, Carl Scullyo Deputy Premier and Minister for Transport and Minister for Police, John Watkinso Minister for Water and Minister for Emergency Services, Nathan Reeso Minister for Juvenile Justice, Barbara Perry Managed ministerial office staff including media and policy advisors and was responsible for daily management of the Minister’s office and creation of a pipeline of media opportunities. Collaborated with other Ministerial offices, backbenchers, Government agencies and community organisations in management of issues. Wrote Minister’s House Folder, briefing notes on portfolio issues, responses for Budget Estimates hearings and managed Freedom of Information inquiries.

Senior journalist at the Daily Telegraph, reporting to the editor, with responsibility for delivery of exclusive articles at the national and state level.

During 17 years working as a tabloid journalist, including a decade in Fleet Street, I covered national and international news, reporting of high-profile court cases at the Old Bailey and High Court, as well as conducting major investigations. I wrote numerous national front-page exclusive articles and completed assignments throughout Europe, Kosovo, Iraq, New York, and Australia. I played a key role in media reporting of major events such as the Dunblane tragedy and Paddington rail crash - including public inquiries into both. I was regularly seconded to the London news desk to run daily news operations. I organised the Sun Newspaper’s National Police Bravery Awards two years running, with the presentation hosted by PM Tony Blair at 10 Downing Street. Won the Scoop of the Year Award at the UK National Press Awards, June 1999. Won Journalistic Team of the Year Award at the UK National Press Awards, June 1999.

During seven years working as a reporter on one of Scotland's leading community newspaper groups I worked on two titles, The Irvine Times and The Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald. I was promoted to Chief Reporter and was responsible for managing and mentoring small teams of reporters. I built up experience in covering the full spectrum of local community news, including covering criminal courts and local government meetings.