Commissioners

Dave Oliver

Chairperson, Safety Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission

Member since March 2024

Dave has had an extensive career spanning over 30 years, encompassing a deep expertise in workplace industrial relations (IR) laws, occupational health and safety (OHS), and workers' compensation matters.

Dave began as a workplace OHS representative in the 1980s, and ascended to the leadership role in the ACTU in 2017. Throughout his career, he has held various elected positions at both state and national levels, including serving as the State Secretary for the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union Victorian Branch for 5 years, followed by a tenure as National Secretary for 6 years. Additionally, he proudly served as the Secretary of the ACTU for 5 years, demonstrating his commitment to advocating for workers' rights and welfare.

His involvement extends beyond union leadership roles. He has also served as a Director and Deputy Chair of Australian Super from 2007 to 2022, contributing to strategic decision-making in the realm of superannuation and financial security for workers. He currently holds the position of Chairperson of the National Entitlement Security Trust Fund (NEST), bringing a wealth of experience to ensure the fund’s effectiveness and integrity.

Dave has been involved in numerous state and government committees, inquiries and task forces. Many of these were tripartite collaborations involving employers, government and unions, which underscores his dedication to fostering cooperation and driving positive change in areas such as innovation, productivity, training and workplace health and safety.

Throughout his career, he has honed the skill of engaging with diverse stakeholders at the highest echelons of government, employer organisations and unions. His experience positions him well to navigate complex challenges and effectively represent the interests of all stakeholders. He is also active in his local community as a proud member of the Rural Fire Service and local surf lifesaving club.

Vacant

Member nominated by the Australian Council of Trade Unions

Melissa Payne

Member nominated by the Australian Council of Trade Unions

Member since July 2020

Melissa is the Deputy National President of the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU).

Through her time at the CPSU Melissa has held a number of positions and overseen governance, industrial, and organising sections.

Melissa has also had responsibility for industrial outcomes, including workplace health and safety matters, extensive representation of injured workers, workers compensation matters and other industrial matters affecting CPSU members.

Melissa has worked across all areas of the Community and Public Sector Union including the federal public sector, telecommunications, broadcasting, and private sector industries since 2003.

Deborah Vallance

Member nominated by the Australian Council of Trade Unions

Member since June 2024

Deborah Vallance works part time a WHS Policy Officer at the ACTU, after having previously worked for many years at the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union in a similar role. She has represented the Australian union movement on health and safety at state, national and international levels. She also has experience in government, research and health settings.

Louisa Hudson

Member representing self-insured licensees

Member since November 2017

Louisa was elected by self-insured licensees to represent their views as a member of the SRCC.

Louisa has previously worked at the National Australia Bank (NAB) as Head of Health, Safety and Wellbeing.

Her team was responsible for health and safety, injury management and workers’ compensation for the approximately 30,000 employees across Australia.

She has a legal background in dispute resolution, practising in the area of insurance and risk. She also spent seven years as a Senior Legal Counsel with WorkSafe Victoria, where she was involved in the regulation of the compensation scheme as well as management of litigation at a scheme level.

Louisa is a Non-Executive Director on the Board of Victoria’s Transport Accident Commission (TAC) and chairs the TAC Board Risk Committee. She has a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Laws from Monash University, is an Australian legal practitioner and a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Jody Anderson

Member representing the Commonwealth and Commonwealth authorities

Member since March 2019

Jody Anderson is a First Assistant Secretary at the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, within the Industrial Relations Group, and is also the Commonwealth representative of Safe Work Australia.

Prior to her current role, Jody held a number of senior executive positions within the portfolio, leading strategic policy and implementation.

Jody has over 20 years of industrial relations experience in the public service, including extensive international policy and representational experience, leading Australia’s engagement with the International Labour Organization for a number of years. She has also worked as an industrial relations practitioner in the Commonwealth and the ACT Public Service.

Jody has a Bachelor of Arts, Administration (University of Canberra), and a Graduate Diploma in Employment Relations (University of Canberra).

Marie Boland

Chief Executive Officer, Safe Work Australia

Member since November 2023

Marie Boland commenced as Chief Executive Officer of Safe Work Australia in November 2023.

Before joining Safe Work Australia, Ms Boland offered independent work health and safety and workplace relations consultancy services including the 2023 review of the Office of the Federal Safety Commissioner, the 2022 Review of the Conduct of Work Health and Safety Prosecutions in the Australian Capital Territory, an independent review of the South Australian local government sector's One System WHS Management System in December 2020 and the 2018 National Review of the model work health and safety laws.

Ms Boland was the 2021 Inaugural Thinker in Residence at the University of South Australia's Psychosocial Safety Climate Global Observatory, and has held senior roles at SafeWork South Australia as an Executive Director, Policy and Community Engagement Director and Chief Policy Officer. More recently, Ms Boland was the Presiding Officer of South Australia’s Construction Industry Long Service Leave Board.

Vacant

Member representing the interests of members and former members of the Defence Force

Catherine Hudson

Member representing the interests of the Australian Capital Territory's public sector employers

Member since July 2014

Catherine has extensive strategy and governance experience including over 25 years working in government across a range of economic, social and environmental areas.

Her long career in the public sector (Queensland Public Service 1991-2003, and the ACT Public Service 2003-2014), included Deputy Director-General roles in the ACT Government from 2006 to 2014 and acting as Director-General for substantial periods of time. For five years she held the key integrity and governance position of ACT Commissioner for Public Administration. She has extensive experience in the provision of strategic advice on public policy issues across many portfolio areas, including industrial relations and work safety.

In 2014, she embarked on a company director career and established her own consulting business, Governance and Policy Innovation. Over the last five years Catherine has served on a number of Boards including as Deputy Chair of the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority, and as a Commissioner on the SRCC. She has also undertaken numerous consultancies providing board strategy and governance advice.

Catherine is an Australian Institute of Company Directors graduate and has an Economics Degree from the University of Adelaide.

Jane Hall

Member with qualifications or experience relevant to the SRCC's functions, or the exercise of its powers

Member since July 2024

Jane is a leading health and safety lawyer, and with more than 25 years spent in court rooms and time spent as an executive in a health and safety regulator, she has cultivated a unique and nuanced approach to helping businesses and government anticipate and solve health and safety problems.

Jane works with clients from large ASX, private and government organisations on a diverse range of health and safety matters including litigation and criminal prosecutions, safety systems and health and safety governance and reporting frameworks. As well as case work, Jane advises Boards and Executive teams on identifying and managing health and safety risks, meeting their compliance and safety goals, and protecting their license to operate.

Jane has built a reputation for her ability to navigate complex health and safety laws. She has been consistently recognised in her field of health and safety law and has been recognised by The Best Lawyers since 2014 for Occupational Health and Safety Law and was their 2020 Lawyer of the year. Jane has also been recognised as a preeminent practitioner for workplace, health and safety by Doyle's Guide, and has been ranked by Chambers & Partners since 2021.

Jane has a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Laws from the Australian National University. She is an Australian legal practitioner, admitted in New South Wales (1997) and in Victoria (2002).

Bradley Crofts

Member with qualifications or experience relevant to the SRCC's functions, or the exercise of its powers

Member since July 2024

Brad is currently the CEO of a leading road safety education charity, the Fit to Drive Foundation. Brad served for a decade as a member representative on the boards of industry superannuation funds AustralianSuper and Prime Super.  Prior to this Brad was a senior policy maker with both the Victorian and Commonwealth Governments including in executive and ministerial advisory roles. Brad has a Bachelor of Economics (first class honours) from the University of Queensland, holds a Certificate of Foundations in Trustee Governance with the Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees (AIST), and is a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD).