CEO Appointment: Ministry For The Environment

Chief Executive Appointment: Ministry For The Environment

The State Services Commissioner, Michael Wintringham, announced today the appointment of Barry Carbon as chief executive of the Ministry for the Environment. Mr Carbon has until recently been the Director-General of the Queensland Environment Protection Agency.

Mr Carbon has had a distinguished career in environmental management in Australia. As inaugural Director-General of the Queensland EPA and its subsidiary Parks and Wildlife Service from 1999 to 2001, Mr Carbon had responsibility for coasts, parks, land and marine world heritage areas, wildlife protection, natural and cultural heritage and environment protection in Queensland.

Previously Mr Carbon had run his own environmental and management consultancy for two years, served as Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency of the Commonwealth of Australia, and served as Chairman and Chief Executive of the EPA of Western Australia.

He has also worked in the private sector between 1980 and 1985 as Environment Manager for mining and refining company Alcoa Australia where his leadership helped to establish Alcoa as a world leader in environmental management. Previously, for 17 years, Mr Carbon worked in a variety of scientific and leadership roles within the Commonwealth Industrial and Scientific Research Organisation (Australia's major government research organisation).

Mr Carbon is a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in recognition of his services to environmental protection and management. He has a Masters degree in Science and Agriculture and has written numerous publications on environmental matters.

Mr Wintringham said Mr Carbon has strong leadership and analytical skills that have been developed through extensive experience in high level policy work and complex problem solving.

"He has high standing in the international environmental and science communities and is respected for his ability to identify, encourage and develop new leaders. This experience with Alcoa makes him particularly well placed to develop strong relationships with business and the private sector generally.

"Mr Carbon is committed to taking a strong personal leadership role on environmental matters within New Zealand. Under Mr Carbon, I expect that the Ministry will be well placed to lead the growing number of complex environmental policy issues at national and international levels."

Mr Wintringham acknowledged the work of Lindsay Gow, who has been the acting chief executive since August 2001. "Mr Gow has done an excellent job of steering the Ministry during a period of high public interest in environmental matters."

Mr Carbon, who is currently based in Perth, will take up his appointment in July.

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