HAWKER BRITTON - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Policy and Business Analyst
Ankita Panjratan is based in Hawker Britton's Federal office and assists the company's directors with business and policy analysis.
Since 2015, Ankita has worked on numerous political campaigns across the country as part of the NGO sector and as an employee of the Australian Labor Party. This provides her with valuable insight into how political parties operate and how they engage with the private sector. Through her campaign work, Ankita has developed networks within unions as well as within Federal and State offices.
Ankita has also worked for Federal MPs and Ministers in the Palaszczuk Government, through which she has gained an understanding of how a political office operates.
Ankita holds a Bachelor of Arts (Geography and Politics) Degree from the University of Melbourne. As part of her degree, she studied abroad in Shanghai and under scholarship at the University of Durham.
Mob: + 61 448 946 633
Emma Webster is a Director based in our Melbourne office with a focus on Victorian and Commonwealth Government work.
Emma has been a trusted Senior Adviser at the highest levels of Government, working for Government leaders at a state, territory, and federal level including for Premier Daniel Andrews and former Prime Minister Julia Gillard.
Most recently Emma led the strategic communications direction for Australia's first legislated Treaty process at the First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria (the Assembly). Working with elected Traditional Owners of Country in Victoria, the Assembly successfully secured the Yoo-rrook Justice Commission, the first Truth-Telling process in Australia with the powers of a Royal Commission.
As a Senior Media Adviser in Premier Daniel Andrews office, Emma provided strategic counsel on key reforms, such as the Big Build transport agenda, Free TAFE and Australia's first Royal Commission into the Prevention of Family Violence at a local, state and national level.
Working as a Senior Adviser in Chief Minister Andrew Barr's office, Emma was part of the team who secured Canberra's first international flights to Singapore and New Zealand, Canberra's light rail project and the ACT becoming the first Australian jurisdiction to regulate ridesharing services like Uber.
Emma worked closely with Australia's first woman Prime Minister Julia Gillard, guiding her through international delegations, providing personal support and assisting the strategy team during sitting weeks with research and Parliamentary preparation.
At the Australian High Commission in Islamabad, Pakistan Emma managed the integration of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Australian Aid, while developing policies to improve the High Commission's human resources and property requirements.
Emma completed a Bachelor of Art (Visual Arts) at the Australian National University and an Advanced Certificate of Public Administration at the University of Melbourne.
Tel: +61 3 9034 3020
Job Titles:
- Policy and Business Analyst
James is based in Perth and supports Hawker Britton's Directors throughout Australia with analysis of Federal and State policy, politics, and legislation, especially as it relates to Western Australia and the Northern Territory.
Prior to joining Hawker Britton, James worked in a Ministerial office in WA's Cook Government. This provided him with firsthand exposure to the ways that key political decision makers interact and engage with the private sector, and allows him to navigate the intricacies of policymaking.
James gained experience in finance while working in the health sector. This role gave him the opportunity to research, evaluate and understand the importance of internal and external stakeholders for business and the nurturing of relationships. In particular, James has a sound understanding and particular interest in Energy, Health and Diversification policy areas.
James has had significant involvement and held executive positions in the Labour movement, especially within WA. This experience has enabled James to cultivate a network that includes positive contacts within State and Federal offices.
James is on the pathway to completing his Honours in Economics. This will complement his Bachelor of Commerce (Economics & Finance), both from the University of Western Australia.
Mob: +61 448 556 889
Job Titles:
- Policy and Business Analyst
Jodi Mills is a Policy and Business Analyst, based in Perth and supports clients on the operations of the Western Australian, Queensland and Federal Governments.
Jodi is an experienced professional with HR experience in the Resources sector. In her 21 years with BHP, she is skilled in IT & HR technology, change management and the management of employee life cycle events.
Recently Jodi has worked closely with Claremont Football Club and the West Coast Eagles AFLW, where she delivered professional programs to enable the development of female athletes.
She has a Bachelor of Business (Human Resources) from Swinburne University of Technology.
John is a Director at Hawker Britton's Queensland Office where he specialises in providing strategic advice to business on the operations of the Queensland Labor Government.
John is a long-term policy adviser with experience ranging across the private, not-for-profit and government sectors. He advised three Australian Attorneys-General on business policy, including intergovernmental negotiation to deliver business reforms across Australia.
He also led policy development at a leading finance industry association, running the government relations function for many years.
John then spent nearly twenty years in the business sector overseas, including working across Asia, the United States and Europe. During this time, he worked on international policy in corporate governance, corporate disclosure, sustainability and audit reforms.
John has been a board director of the leading sustainable finance organisation in the United Kingdom, which has significatly moved public policy forward in this field.
Upon returning to Australia, John worked with a leading Big 4 professional services firm on government relations in Asia Pacific, including Australian audit reform issues.
Before joining Hawker Britton, John worked as a Senior Policy Adviser in the Queensland Palaszczuk Government, where he worked at the highest levels of government, developing a close understanding of the development of policy within government and key drivers of political decision-making, including involvement in intergovernmental policy on workforce development.
John is a lawyer by training and has a Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Laws from Monash University.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Director at Hawker Britton 's Victorian Office
John-Paul is a Director at Hawker Britton's Victorian Office where he specialises in providing strategic advice to business on the operations of both the Victorian and Federal Labor Governments.
Having worked in a senior role for the Premier of Victoria and for the Federal Leader of the Opposition John-Paul is highly regarded by both the political and organisational wings of the labour movement in Victoria and nationally.
Additionally, having worked closely with the central and ancillary departments to develop briefs for the Victorian Cabinet he is expert on the processes of government. This provides John-Paul with rare insight into identifying relevant government targets within a decision-making process at a particular point of time.
John-Paul has been involved in all election campaigns based out of Victoria in recent times and continues to play a key role in providing strategic thought within the labour movement.
Being a senior elected official for the Australian Workers' Union for more than ten years John-Paul provides a level of detail and expertise into the world of industrial relations and the labour movement that is second to none and an invaluable resource for clients.
John-Paul has completed a MBA from a Group of Eight University; BExSc (Hons); and a BHlthSc and continues to advance his learnings. He is also well regarded in the sporting industry where he continues to serve as a Director of both the Australian Netball Players' Association and the Victorian Jockeys Association where he advocates for the rights of members.
Tel: + 61 3 9034 3021
Juliana Plummer is a Director based in our Perth office who is experienced in legislative compliance and relevant regulations; government and private sector reporting responsibilities; project management; stakeholder engagement and has a sound understanding of all tiers of government.
Since 2018, Juliana held the position of Business Roundtable Director in both Queensland and Western Australia. These programs were aimed at senior business and industry leaders to promote ongoing dialogue between State Leaders, Business and senior decision-makers through collaborative opportunities, regular engagement and events.
During the previous Federal Labor Government, she served in various roles including Ministerial Advisor and Policy Advisor. After the change of government in 2013, Juliana ran her own consultancy business until 2016. Most recently, she has held the position of Chief of Staff to a Member of Parliament.
Through the National Apology Foundation, Juliana successfully coordinated events across Australia including Parliament House, Canberra and National Press Club to acknowledge the 10 Year anniversary of the National Apology. This included working with relevant past Prime Ministers, First Nations people and National Apology Foundation board members.
With countless years of experience in both State and Federal Ministerial offices, Juliana brings a breadth of knowledge with a positive focus on relationships and partnerships between government and business.
Juliana has led many community programs including in Timor-Leste and has previously been appointed on school college boards.
During her time in the labour movement, she has held various executive positions and ran campaigns in both state and federal elections.
Juliana holds an Advanced Diploma of Program Management, Diploma of Business Administration and a Voices of Autism - Torrens University (2018) certificate.
Tel: +61 427 519 224
Job Titles:
- Policy and Business Analyst
Kobe is based in Hawker Britton's Melbourne office where he supports the company's Directors with policy, political and legislative analysis.
Kobe has had a long involvement in the Aboriginal community-controlled and not-for-profit sectors.
Kobe is passionate about education, social justice, and Indigenous affairs. He holds a Bachelor of Arts (Politics and International Studies, Law and Justice) from the University of Melbourne.
Job Titles:
- Associate Director
- Adviser
Michael Tegg is an Associate Director and will assist clients in their dealings with the Commonwealth, New South Wales and Queensland Governments.
Michael has worked on two Federal election campaigns with the then Leader of the Australian Labor Party, Bill Shorten. During his time working in politics Michael worked as a parliamentary advisor and media advisor to the Leader.
Prior to joining Hawker Britton, Michael has worked for Novartis (Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa), Johnson & Johnson (Australia), the Leader of the Australian Labor Party and the Australian Attorney-General's Department and Department of Home Affairs.
While working for Novartis Michael supported the rollout of new commercial partnerships focusing on cardiovascular disease therapeutic area across the Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa region, working with market-based teams to support new product launches and patient and external stakeholder engagement. While working for Johnson & Johnson (Australia) Michael sat on the crisis management team dealing with COVID-19 border closures, port strikes across the country creating supply chain issues and sat on the Consumer Health Products stakeholder management subcommittee representing Johnson & Johnson consumer products.
Drawing on over a decade of professional experience, Michael is a trusted adviser to healthcare, medical technology and fast moving consumer goods companies and has enabled clients to navigate the complex and overlapping modern political, media and business environments by providing thoughtful and bespoke counsel in public policy and communications.
Michael is finalising his Master of Business Administration (Executive) at the University of New South Wales.
Neale has extensive experience in New Zealand politics, including most recently as Chief of Staff to Labour Leader Jacinda Ardern and former leader Andrew Little. Neale has previously worked as Political Director and Communications Director in the Labour Leader's Office.
In these roles, Neale has led work on political strategy and communications. He held a senior role in Labour's successful 2017 election campaign and served on the negotiation team for Labour's coalition talks with New Zealand First and the Greens.
Neale has previously worked in senior campaign and communication roles in New Zealand and the United Kingdom in the NGO sector and the trade union movement.
This gives Neale a deep knowledge of the political environment in New Zealand and a valuable insight into how to engage constructively with opposition parties.
Neale is based in New Zealand's capital city, Wellington and affiliates to Ngāpuhi and Ngāti Apakura. He is a regular political commentator across a range of media.
Mob: +64 27 529 1079
Simon Banks is one of Australia's most highly respected government relations, campaigning and strategic communications professionals.
Since 2007, Simon has advised some of Australia's and the world's largest companies on significant commercial transactions requiring Commonwealth Government approvals.
Following the 2010 Federal election, Simon served as one of the four "wise elders" that helped the Government, Opposition and country Independent MPs agree on the historic parliamentary reforms which were central to the return of the Gillard Government.
Prior to joining Hawker Britton, Simon served as Chief of Staff or Deputy Chief of Staff to three Federal Labor Leaders and has been Federal Labor's director of policy and a senior policy and media adviser to a number of Labor ministers and shadow ministers.
Over more than twenty years, Simon has worked closely with most of Federal Labor's frontbench, Caucus and senior staff.
Simon understands the corporate world, having worked in public affairs and strategic policy roles for Telstra and Toll Holdings and as a consultant. His understanding of the government relations strategy needs of business, public policy and politics in Australia is unrivalled in the Canberra lobbying market.
A lawyer by training, Simon has extensive campaign experience. He managed the high-profile online Kevin07 campaign during the 2007 Federal election and ran the uniquely successful ACT campaigns for the Constitutional Convention election and the Republic Referendum.
A published commentator on public policy, Simon regularly comments on policy and political developments on both the ABC and Sky News.
Mob: +61 419 638 587
Stephen Halliday has more than thirty years experience in a successful career across media, politics, government and government relations. Stephen works as Hawker Britton's Associate Director in South Australia.
Stephen has worked with clients across the widest range of industry sectors including Lockheed Martin, ASC, AGL, Statoil/ Equinor, Macquarie Bank, Telstra, Adelaide Airport Ltd, Oracle, HPE, Optus, QBE, Lion, Adelaide Brighton, The Salvation Army, Mission Australia, DP World, Bunnings, Heathgate Resources and Serco.
Previously Stephen had been Chief of Staff to Mike Rann as both Premier and Opposition Leader in South Australia (1994-2004). This followed a career including work as a Media Adviser to both Governments and Oppositions in South Australia and as a journalist in TV and radio at the ABC.
Stephen has a BA (Journalism) and is a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD). He is Chair of the SA Advisory Board of the Heart Foundation.
Stephen offers a wide range of public affairs skills and services to our clients.