The new independent board that will oversee and review the operations of the Public Trustee of Queensland has been appointed.
Long-time human services executive Geoffrey Rowe will chair the six-person board which consists of extensive expertise in advocacy, law, finance, human resources, cultural change, and lived experience.
Mr Rowe is joined on the board by Professor Jennifer Cullen, Ms Aimee McVeigh, Mr Brendan O’Farrell, Ms Joanne Peulen and Ms Kym Vickery.
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Shannon Fentiman said the six appointees are held in high esteem in their respective fields.
“The six appointees were appointed from a deliberately diverse range of backgrounds that cover all aspects of the Public Trustee’s broad and complex role and functions,” Minister Fentiman said.
The Public Trustee (Advisory and Monitoring Board) Amendment Act 2022 passed Parliament in May allowing for the establishment of the board, which provides an independent oversight mechanism for the Public Trustee.
“This will greatly enhance transparency and public accountability.
“Mr Rowe has been CEO with Aged & Disability Advocacy Australia since 2014 and has 40 years experience in human services, including senior executive positions in the Queensland Government and not-for-profit sector.
“Professor Cullen, who identifies as Indigenous, is CEO of brain injury organisation Synapse, holds several statutory appointments, has held membership of various advisory and research groups, and also received many awards relating to support and advocacy for vulnerable persons.
“Ms McVeigh is CEO of the Queensland Council of Social Services, was a Director of the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability, a Director of Disability Law Queensland, and has significant experience working with people with impaired capacity.
“Mr O’Farrell has been a non-executive director of Stadiums Queensland since 2018 and other organisations, more recently including InvestLogan and the Brisbane Broncos Leagues Club, while he has vast experience in the superannuation sector including 16 years as CEO of Intrust Super.
“Ms Peulen is a non-executive director and independent consultant specialising in strategic financial and business risk management who has more than 20 years experience working within and providing advice to large-scale energy and public sector organisations.
“Ms Vickery has extensive financial and public sector leadership experience, having held several senior roles within Queensland Treasury, Queensland Investment Corporation, Ergon Energy and Queensland Treasury Corporation,” the Minister said.
The Board will monitor the performance of the Public Trustee’s functions and provide advice and can make recommendations to the Attorney-General about changes to legislation or improvements to the policies and practices of the Public Trustee.
It will also being able to provide advice and recommendations to the Public Trustee about the performance of its functions.
Importantly, the Board must act independently and in the public interest, and is not subject to direction by anyone, including the Minister, about how to perform its functions.
“This will help to ensure that strong protections stay in place for clients, because protecting vulnerable Queenslanders remains a key priority for this Government,” Minister Fentiman said.
