The Miles Government has named the two special advisors who will be given authority and access to examine CS Energy, and report back to government on how CS Energy can better perform.
Commercial law specialist Tom Fletcher has been engaged to provide advice on legal, commercial and organisational matters related to Callide C Power Station, while electrical engineering expert Howard Morrison will provide independent advice on CS Energy's organisational performance, including in respect of organisational structure, culture, and governance frameworks.
Both Mr Fletcher and Mr Morrison will provide advice to the CS Energy Board, shareholding Ministers, and the State Government.
Today's announcement comes as the final report into the Callide incident has been made public, after it was received by CS Energy yesterday.
CS Energy also released the investigation report into the Callide C3 partial cooling tower collapse.
Upon the publication of the draft report, authored by Brady Heywood, the Government committed to conduct a review into publicly owned generation businesses to ensure they are aligned to deliver on the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan, to optimise energy transition, and to ensure downward pressure on consumer prices while maintaining operating and business performance.
The Review will be led by Queensland Treasury alongside Queensland Treasury Corporation and the Department of Energy and Climate, and is expected to report to government ahead of the 2025 State Budget.
The Miles Government has also advised it will seek to take public ownership of 100 per cent of the Callide C Power station from the private joint venture partner.
The Government has taken strong action to date, including:
- Appointment of a new chair of CS Energy in June 2023
- Appointment of a new Board
- Appointment of a new CEO in July 2023
- Appointment of a new Executive General Manager, Asset Management
- Increases to maintenance funding since 2016
- Funded 100 per cent of the design and rebuild of the C4 generator and the cooling towers
About the Special Advisors:
Tom Fletcher
- Mr Fletcher is a partner at MinterEllison in Brisbane, leading its dispute resolution practice in energy and resources matters.
- He has over 18 years legal experience in the fields of commercial and government dispute resolution.
- He has advised on significant, high value and reputationally sensitive matters for government, major energy corporations and universities.
Howard Morrison
- Mr Morrison is an electrical engineer, with over 40 years experience in the electricity industry, and has held roles in asset responsibility and asset portfolio management.
- He has held a variety of senior engineering and managerial roles in the energy generation sector, with accountabilities ranging from asset responsibility and technical service provision, through to asset portfolio management and general management.
- He is currently member of the Stanwell Board and will step down from the Board to perform this task.
