THE HON STEVE WHAN MP | EXCLUSIVE LUNCH

Steve Whan was re-elected as Member for Monaro at the 2023 election after eight years out of politics.  Steve was member for Monaro between 2003 and 2011, and a Member of the NSW Legislative Council from 2011 to 2015.  From 2009 to 2011 he was a NSW Minister with portfolios including Primary Industries, Emergency Services and Rural Affairs.

In September 2023 Steve was appointed as the Minister for Skills, TAFE, and Tertiary Education in the Minns Labor Government. His priorities in this role include restoring TAFE to the heart of vocational education in New South Wales, and delivering a skills sector which is responsive to the jobs of the future.

During his eight years out of politics Steve was CEO of the National Irrigators Council, a board member for Murrumbidgee Irrigation and ClubPlus Superannuation, and he worked for the Australian Chamber of Commerce’s Tourism council.  He played a lead role in the Agriculture Energy Taskforce bringing together farming groups from around the eastern states, and on an advisory committee for WaterTrust Australia.

Steve and his wife Cherie have a long association with the Monaro region, with his father Bob Whan having served as Member for Eden-Monaro. They have lived in Queanbeyan for 26 years, with their children having gone to the local primary and high school.  Steve rides a mountain bike, bikepacks, swims, skis, plays water polo and tennis as well as being a keen native plant gardener.

He is a life member of ACT Water Polo and a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Dr Ashley Tsacalos is a dispute resolution and litigation lawyer based in Sydney, a leading adviser to government and an expert in royal commissions and inquiries. He has been involved in 25 royal commissions, inquiries and inquests over the last 6 years. He is also a leading authority on the government’s "model litigant obligations". He was recently ranked in the Chambers Asia-Pacific 2022 Guide Rankings as a leading individual in the Government category. In 2020, he was the winner of the Government Partner of the Year category in the Lawyers Weekly Partner of the Year Awards and was nominated again in 2021.

Ashley has experience in all forms of dispute resolution, including litigation in various courts and tribunals. He is engaged by both the public and private sector due to his extensive experience in managing complex and often sensitive disputes.  He has particular expertise in relation to contractual disputes, negligence claims and other tortious claims generally (such as misfeasance in public office) as well as applications for merits-based review and judicial review.  He regularly provides advice in relation to procurement and tendering issues, governance and probity issues generally as well as risk allocation and insurance.

Kirsten Andrews is vice-president of external engagement for The University of Sydney.

Her teams work across the globe to inspire people to study, innovate and collaborate with the University to ensure its work is more compelling, and more important to society, than at any other time in its history.  

Prior to joining the university, Kirsten held senior positions in government and the not-for-profit sector, including at the National Heart Foundation, as chief of staff to a federal minister and deputy director of communications to the Premier of New South Wales.

Andrew is an experienced HR professional specialising in non-permanent, Contingent Workforce. He has experience in Investment Banking and more recently, working collaboratively with senior executives on contingent workforce strategy and transformation. Through his time at Expert360, he supported several large organisations to set up or optimise their contractor workforces and be positioned strongly in the increasingly flexible and dynamic world of work.  

For Houlihan Lokey, Andrew worked within the distressed debt team, working with clients as an analyst to support large scale transactions.    

After Houlihan Lokey, Andrew worked for Expert360 – a vetted consultant marketplace that connects businesses with top contract talent where he grew the business’ Private Equity portfolio of clients and managed accounts supporting contractor needs for a number of ASX50 enterprises. Andrew also spent time developing the Melbourne office arm of Expert360, developing clients headquartered locally. 

Niraj Singh is a seasoned educator and trainer with a robust background in accounting and finance. His journey in the professional world has been marked by a commitment to excellence and a penchant for continuous improvement. With a calm and composed demeanor, Niraj excels in navigating high-pressure environments, thriving under demanding deadlines while delivering quality results.

Currently serving as a Professional Year Trainer at Performance Education in Sydney, Niraj is dedicated to shaping the next generation of professionals. His responsibilities include designing comprehensive course content aligned with industry standards, delivering engaging training sessions, and providing invaluable mentorship to students as they navigate their career paths.

Prior to his role in education, Niraj gained practical experience in accounts payable roles at reputable organizations such as Only About Children and Henry Schein Australia Holding Pty. Ltd. His expertise in financial management, has contributed to streamlining processes and mitigating risks within his teams.

Niraj holds a bachelor’s degree in business with a major in accounting, complemented by certifications such as Certified Practicing Accountant (CPA) and an Advanced Diploma in Program Management. Furthermore, his dedication to professional development is evident through certifications in leadership, communication, and public speaking.

Beyond his professional pursuits, Niraj is finding balance and inspiration in his hobbies. With his unwavering commitment to learning and growth, Niraj continues to make meaningful contributions to both the education sector and the accounting profession.