Streamline WA steering committee

Michelle Andrews is the Chair of the Streamline WA Steering Committee. Michelle Andrews is an environmental scientist with 30 years’ experience in the public sector and recently commenced in the role of Director General Department of Water and Environmental Regulation. Michelle previously led the Department of Communities through the state’s COVID response and recovery, and also reformed the organisations governance and integrity systems following a major fraud and corruption incident.

Michelle also held a senior executive role in the Department of the Premier and Cabinet supporting the State Government’s independent Service Priority Review that delivered a wide-ranging blueprint for public sector reform. Michelle worked in the former departments of Mines and Petroleum and State Development, where she focused on major projects, resource development policy and strengthening relationships across government, industry and the community.

Michelle has also been a policy advisor to several State Government environment Ministers and has served as Deputy Chair of the Minerals Research Institute of Western Australia and on the Boards of the Western Australian Biodiversity Science Institute and the Institute of Public Administration Australia.

Aaron Morey is the Chief Economist and Executive Director of Policy, Campaigns and Strategy at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA. 

Prior to joining CCIWA Aaron was the political, economics and commercial adviser to the WA Treasurer Ben Wyatt, managing significant projects including the historic 2018 GST reforms, the $1.4 billion Landgate asset sale, and the successful Bell Group negotiations. 

Aaron began his career at the Productivity Commission, where he developed a practical understanding of behavioural economics and strategic decision making. Aaron advised the Federal Government on issues including industry development, labour markets, intellectual property, superannuation, and infrastructure and energy market regulation.

Aaron has undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in economics, and has co-authored a number of research papers in international economics journals, including the Review of Industrial Organisation.

Joanne commenced as CEO of the City of Armadale in September 2019.

Joanne has extensive experience in local government and has been CEO of some of Australia’s fastest growing local governments, planning and developing entire communities housing tens of thousands of people.

Joanne has held Ministerial appointments to the Women in Local Government Advisory Committee and Peel Development Commission Board. Joanne holds a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) from the University of Notre Dame and Bachelor of Science (Distinction) in Environmental Health from Curtin University. In 2015, Joanne was named State Winner at the Telstra Business Woman of the Year Awards for Government and Academia and received international recognition at the United Nations backed Liveable Communities Awards in 2011 for excellence in integrated strategic planning.

Rowena Albones joined Rio Tinto in September 1999 as a Commercial Analyst in Hamersley Iron. Rowena has had a series of leadership, financial and commercial roles across multiple commodities and countries. Her experience includes operations, major project construction, planning and business development. She has also held leadership roles representing Rio Tinto in multiple joint ventures and boards.

Rowena was appointed Chief Financial Officer for the Iron Ore group in June 2018 and has responsibility for financial planning, investment analysis, State Agreements, environmental approvals and strategy.

Rowena holds a Bachelor’s degree majoring in Economics and Finance and a Masters in Business Administration, both from Curtin University, Australia.

Darren Walsh joined Strategen as CEO in May 2011 and became Executive Director of Strategen-JBS&G in July 2019. Darren has over 25 years’ experience in environmental impact assessment and environmental management with particular emphasis on the land development and mining sectors.

Combined with a high level of expertise in all facets of environmental approvals, Darren has had extensive experience in senior executive roles in State and local government and the private sector. This included the role of the Independent Appeals Convenor to the Minister for the Environment (WA).  Darren is a State and National Councillor for the Urban Development Institute of Australia and Chairs its State Environment Committee.