Every effort has been made to ensure that this program is ......brings together senior leaders from...

58
Every effort has been made to ensure that this program is free from error or omissions. However, there may be modifications of participants, speakers and the program between publication and the Dialogue.

Transcript of Every effort has been made to ensure that this program is ......brings together senior leaders from...

Page 1: Every effort has been made to ensure that this program is ......brings together senior leaders from our nation’s government, business and civil society. We will be discussing the

Every effort has been made to ensure that this program is free from error or omissions. However, there may be modifications of participants, speakers and the program between publication and the Dialogue.

Page 2: Every effort has been made to ensure that this program is ......brings together senior leaders from our nation’s government, business and civil society. We will be discussing the

Following on from the successful inaugural Australia India Leadership Dialogue in New Dehli in October 2015, it is our pleasure to welcome you to the second annual Dialogue in Melbourne in December 2016.

The centre of the world’s economic and political gravity is shifting ever further towards the Indo-Pacific region. As it does so, new opportunities are being identified – and with them, new challenges.

Our countries, which face each other across the Indian Ocean, are ideally placed to develop a close, comprehensive partnership to take advantage of those opportunities and to confront those challenges.

Few countries in the Indo-Pacific have more in common than India and Australia. We speak the same language. We respect the same system of law. We are both multicultural, federal democracies. We even follow the same sport.

Our economic and strategic interests are converging strongly. India’s rapid economic growth and its burgeoning

demand for energy, resources and education have made it one of Australia’s largest export markets. Today, Indians are welcomed as the largest national group among skilled migrants to Australia.

Beyond our joint economic interests, our countries have a shared strategic interest in ensuring a balance in the Indo-Pacific so that the region is not dominated by any one hegemonic power. This shared interest in regional security and stability is fundamental to our joint economic interests.

Relations between India and Australia have deepened dramatically over recent years. Following reciprocal visits by our respective Prime Ministers in 2014, India’s President Pranab Mukherjee described the relationship between our two countries as the closest he has witnessed during his 40 years in public life.

Welcome from the Co-Chairs

The Australia India Leadership Dialogue brings together senior leaders from our nation’s government, business and civil society. We will be discussing the mutual interests that lie at the very heart of our relationship – economic priorities such as energy, education and skills, agriculture and agroprocessing, and infrastructure; and our converging geostrategic and security interests.

Through the Dialogue, we seek to build deeper co-operation, closer friendships and stronger relationships based on trust between leaders in government,

business and civil society from India and Australia. We will do this through the open discussion, which will now follow, and by identifying new ways and new opportunities to work together in coming years. We are delighted to host you in Melbourne, and we look forward to working with you all for the mutual benefit of our two great nations.

Ross Fitzgerald and Amitabh Mattoo Co-Chairs, Australian India Leadership Dialogue

Page 3: Every effort has been made to ensure that this program is ......brings together senior leaders from our nation’s government, business and civil society. We will be discussing the

Sunday 4 December6.00PM

Queens Hall, Parliament House

Reception and Dinner

Hosted by the Treasurer of Victoria Mr Tim Pallas MP

Monday 5 December8.40AM - 9:00AM

Ballroom, Langham Hotel Southbank

Guests to arrive

9.00AM – 9.10AM Opening Remarks

Professor Craig Jeffrey Director & CEO Australia India Institute

Ms Shobana Kamineni President Designate, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Executive Vice Chairperson, Apollo HospitalsEnterprise Limited (AHEL)

9.10AM - 9.20AM Introductory remarks by Co-Chairs

Professor Amitabh Mattoo Co-Chair Australia India Leadership Dialogue

Mr Ross Fitzgerald Co-Chair Australia India Leadership Dialogue

Page 4: Every effort has been made to ensure that this program is ......brings together senior leaders from our nation’s government, business and civil society. We will be discussing the

9.20AM – 10.10AM Special Remarks on behalf of Delegations

Speakers: Senator the Hon. James McGrath Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister Government of Australia

Mr Yanamala Ramakrishnudu The Hon’ble Minister - Finance & Planning, Commercial Taxes, Legislative Affairs Government of Andhra Pradesh

Senator the Hon. Penny Wong Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs Leader of the Opposition in the Senate

Final Remarks Her Excellency Harinder Sidhu High Commissioner of Australia to India

Dr Ajay M Gondane Indian High Commissioner Designate to Australia Government of India

10.10AM – 11.00AM Self-introduction by delegates

Session 1 Domestic Politics Update

11.00AM – 11.45AM Mr Swapan Dasgupta Senior Journalist

Mr Greg Sheridan AO Foreign Editor The Australian

Chair: Professor Amitabh Mattoo Co-Chair Australia India Leadership Dialogue

11.45AM-12.00PM *Guests to move to Alto Room, The Langham Hotel

12.00PM – 1.30PM

Alto Room, Langham Hotel Southbank

Lunch Address:

Global Trade Policy Developments

Speaker: The Hon. Andrew Robb AO Former Australian Trade and Investment Minister

Chair: Ross Fitzgerald Co-Chair, Australia India Leadership Dialogue

Lunch 2-course seated meal for all participants

1.45PM

2.00PM – 3.00PM

Guests to be seated in the Ballroom

Speaker: The Hon. Malcolm Turnbull MP Prime Minister of Australia

Chair: Professor Glyn Davis AC Vice-Chancellor The University of Melbourne

Concluding Remarks: Ms Shobana Kamineni President Designate, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Executive Vice Chairperson, Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited (AHEL)

Vote of Thanks Mr Robert Johanson Deputy Chancellor, The University of Melbourne

Page 5: Every effort has been made to ensure that this program is ......brings together senior leaders from our nation’s government, business and civil society. We will be discussing the

Session 2 How to increase mutual trade and investment, and business co-operation

3.00PM – 4.00PM Chairs: Mr Robert Johanson Chairman Australia India Institute

Ms Shobana Kamineni President Designate, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Executive Vice Chairperson, Apollo HospitalsEnterprise Limited (AHEL)

Energy, resources & mining services Ms Vanessa Guthrie Managing Director and CEO Toro Energy

Mr Sajad Lone Minister for Social Welfare, Science & Technology Jammu and Kashmir Government

***

Education & Skills Mr Imran Ansari Minister for Information Technology, Youth Services, Sports and Technical Education Jammu and Kashmir Government

Ms Belinda Robinson Chief Executive Universities Australia

Professor Chintamani Mahapatra Rector Jawaharlal Nehru University

Ms Megan Lilly Chair of the Australia India Skills Working Group Head of Workforce Development at the Australia Industry Group

***

Water and food Mr Bruce Rodgerson CEO Rubicon Water

Mr Jang Bahadur Sangha Head Sangha Group

Session 3 Evolving Security Architecture in the Region

4.00PM – 4.45PM Opening Comments Ms Kathy Klugman First Assistant Secretary, South and West Asia Division Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade Government of Australia

Lead Speakers Lt Gen Ravi Sawhney Dean - Centre for Defence Studies Vivekananda International Foundation

Mr Peter Varghese AO Former Secretary, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Chancellor, the University of Queensland

Co-moderators: Ms Bharkha Dutt Journalist NDTV

Mr Greg Sheridan AO Foreign Editor The Australian

Page 6: Every effort has been made to ensure that this program is ......brings together senior leaders from our nation’s government, business and civil society. We will be discussing the

Session 4 Closing Session: Summary of key discussion points and next steps

4.45PM – 5.00PM Co-moderators: Professor Amitabh Mattoo Co-Chair Australia India Leadership Dialogue

Mr Ross Fitzgerald Co-Chair Australia India Leadership Dialogue

7.30PM

Melbourne Cricket Ground, AFL Dining Room

Closing Dinner

Keynote Speaker: Senator the Hon. Simon Birmingham MP Minister for Education and Training Government of Australia

The Hon. Mr Chris Bowen MP Shadow Treasurer Australian Labor Party

Page 7: Every effort has been made to ensure that this program is ......brings together senior leaders from our nation’s government, business and civil society. We will be discussing the

DELEGATES

Mr Imran Ansari Minister for Information Technology, Youth Services, Sports and Technical Education Jammu & Kashmir Government

Mr Ted Baillieu Former Premier of Victoria Chair, ANZAC Centenary Committee

The Hon. Chris Bowen MP Shadow Treasurer of Australia Australian Labor Party

Ms Gai Brodtmann MP Member for Canberra Australian Labor Party

Professor Glyn Davis AC Vice-Chancellor The University of Melbourne

Mr Swapan Dasgupta Senior Journalist

Professor Jane den Hollander Vice-Chancellor Deakin University

Ms Barkha Dutt Journalist NDTV

Mr Ross Fitzgerald Co-Chair Australia India Leadership Dialogue

Ms Penny Fowler Chairperson Herald and Weekly Times

Dr Ajay M Gondane Indian High Commissioner Designate to Australia Government of India

Mr Suresh Goyal Country Lead (India) Macquarie Group

Ms Vanessa Guthrie Managing Director and CEO Toro Energy

Mr Lance Hockridge CEO Aurizon

Page 8: Every effort has been made to ensure that this program is ......brings together senior leaders from our nation’s government, business and civil society. We will be discussing the

Mr Ajay Jain Principal Secretary to Govt. - Energy, Infrastructure & Investment, CRDA Government of Andhra Pradesh

Professor Craig Jeffrey CEO & Director Australia India Institute

Mr Robert Johanson Chairman Australia India Institute

Mr Rohit Kansal Secretary of Jammu & Kashmir Government Former Chief of Staff – Mining & Renewable Energy

Ms Shobana Kamineni President Designate, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Executive Vice Chairperson, Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited (AHEL)

Ms Rohini Kappadath Senior Adviser - India Business Practice KPMG 

Ms Kathy Klugman First Assistant Secretary, South and West Asia Division Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Government of Australia

Mr Sudheendra Kulkarni Chairman Observer Research Foundation Mumbai

Mr David Latina Executive Director, Economic Development and International, Department of Premier and Cabinet State Government of Victoria

Ms Megan Lilly Chair, Australia-India Skills Working Group Head of Workforce Development at the Australia Industry Group

Mr Sajad Lone Minister for Social Welfare, Science and Technology Jammu and Kashmir Government

Professor Chintamani Mahapatra Rector School of International Studies Jawaharlal Nehru University

Professor Amitabh Mattoo Honorary Director and Co-Chair Australia India Institute @ Delhi and Australia India Leadership Dialogue

Senator the Hon. James McGrath Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister Government of Australia

Mr Rajesh Menon Deputy Director General Confederation of Indian Industry

Ms Sheba Nandkeolyar National Chair, Australia India Business Council Board Member, Australia India Council

Mr Barry O’Farrell Deputy Chair, Australia India Council Former Premier of New South Wales NSW Special Envoy to India

Mr Nitin Pai Director Takshashila Institute

Mr Ashok Pandey Principal, Ahlcon International School, Delhi Chairman, National Progressive

Professor Ila Patnaik National Institute of Public Finance and Policy

Mr Sumath Prakash Partner PwC 

Mr Solomon Arokia Raj IAS, Secretary to Government & CIP, Industries & Commerce Department Government of Andhra Pradesh

Mrs K. Renuka Raju Founder Lotus School

Mr Girish Ramachandran President, Asia Pacific Tata Consultancy Services

Mr Yanamala Ramakrishnudu The Hon’ble Minister - Finance & Planning,Commercial Taxes,Legislative AffairsGovernment of Andhra Pradesh

Page 9: Every effort has been made to ensure that this program is ......brings together senior leaders from our nation’s government, business and civil society. We will be discussing the

The Hon. K.T Rama Rao Cabinet Minister for IT, Electronics and Communications, MAUD, Industries & Commerce, Mines & Geology, Public Enterprises and NRI Affairs Government of Telangana

Mr Muddada Ravichandra IAS, Secretary to Government (R&E), Finance Department Government of Andhra Pradesh

The Hon. Andrew Robb AO Former Minister for Trade and Investment Government of Australia

Ms Belinda Robinson Chief Executive Universities Australia

Mr Bruce Rodgerson CEO Rubicon Water

Mr Jang Bahadur Sangha Head Sangha Group

Lt. Gen (Retd) Ravi Sawhney Dean – Centre for Defence Studies Vivekananda International Foundation

Mr DD Saxena Managing Director Riverina Oils & BioEnergy Pty Ltd

Mr Ashvini Shekhar Managing Director Global Pacific Nominees Pty Ltd

Mr Shoukath Sherif Chairman and Managing Director Sherif Cargo

Mr Greg Sheridan AO Foreign Editor The Australian

Her Excellency Harinder Sidhu High Commissioner of Australia to India Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Mr Peter Varghese AO Chancellor The University of Queensland

Senator the Hon. Penny Wong Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Australian Labor Party

OBSERVERS

Ms Rachel Altmann Manager, International Engagement, Department of Premier and Cabinet State Government of Victoria

Professor Robin Batterham Board Member Australia India Council

Professor Nick Bisley Executive Director La Trobe Asia La Trobe University

Mr Prashant Bora Director - India Practice PwC

Mr Chris Ellinger Policy Officer, India Economic Section Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Government of Australia

Professor Susan Elliott Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International) The University of Melbourne

Ms Marita Forde Director, India Outreach Section Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Government of Australia

Mr Darren Gribble Australian Representative Confederation of Indian Industry

Mr Tony Huber Consul General of Australia in Mumbai Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Ms Manika Jain Consul General of India in Melbourne Government of India

Ms Meherlyn A. Jussawalla Director – Diplomatic and Network Relations University of New South Wales (UNSW)

Mr Michael Kasprowicz Board Member Australia India Council

Sri Arvind Kumar Principal Secretary, Industry, Commerce, Mining and Energy Government of Telangana

Page 10: Every effort has been made to ensure that this program is ......brings together senior leaders from our nation’s government, business and civil society. We will be discussing the

Mr Shaun Star Co-founder and Chair, Australia India Youth Dialogue Executive Director, Centre for India Australia Studies, O.P. Jindal Global University

Ms Sujata Sudarashan Regional Director – ASEAN & ANZ International Department Confederation of Indian Industry

Mr Arjun Surapaneni CEO Victorian Institute of Technology

Sri Ramachandru Tejaveth Special Representative of Telangana in New Delhi Government of Telangana

Mr Jim Varghese National Vice Chair, Australia India Business Council Executive Director (Business Development), Australia India Institute

Mr Nilaya Varma Partner - Infrastructure Government and Healthcare, Lead for Government and & Healthcare KPMG India

Mr Daniel Wong Assistant Adviser Government of Australia

Ms Joanna Wood Director, International Skills Cooperation Department of Education and Training, Government of Australia

Mr Stephen Manallack President Australia India Business Council, Victoria

Ms Zoe McKenzie Principal Trade and Investment Advisory

Mr Abhay Mehta Senior Representative Confederation of Indian Industry

Mr Vinod Mirchandani Deputy Director Australia India Institute @Delhi

Mr Kartikeya Misra IAS, Director, Industries & CEO, AP Invest Government of Andhra Pradesh

Mr Michael Moignard Fellow Australia India Institute

Mr Paul Myler Assistant Secretary, India and Indian Ocean Branch Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Government of Australia

Mr Leigh Obradovic Adviser, Trade and Investment in South Asia Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Government of Australia

Ms Neema Premji Board Member Australia India Council

Mr Harish Rao Global Head of Business Development Sundaram (BPO)

Mr John Short Vice President, National Policy Aurizon

Mr Himanshu Shukla IAS, Director Tourism Government of Andhra Pradesh

Ms Julie Singer Scanlan Vice-Chair Australian American Leadership Dialogue

Mr Anil Snehi Vice President Sales - Australia Tata Consultancy Services

Page 11: Every effort has been made to ensure that this program is ......brings together senior leaders from our nation’s government, business and civil society. We will be discussing the

Delegates

Page 12: Every effort has been made to ensure that this program is ......brings together senior leaders from our nation’s government, business and civil society. We will be discussing the

Molvi Imran Reza Ansari is from the State of Jammu & Kashmir, India. He did his schooling from the Tyndale Biscoe missionary School, Srinagar, Kashmir, Jammu and Kashmir, India and graduation & post-graduation in Political Science from the University of Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi in the year 1997. In the year 1998, Molvi Ansari proceeded to Syria for six years for pursuing Diploma in Arabic & Arabian languages and in the year 2002, he went to Iran for a course in theology and comparative religions.

Molvi Ansari has a rich religious and socio- political background. His grand -father and father were the spiritualleaders of the shia community ofJammu and Kashmir State and MolviAnsari has inherited the legacy of hisforefathers.

Molvi Ansari was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Jammu and Kashmir State from Pattan Constituency in north Kashmir in the year 2014 after which he went on to become a Cabinet Minister in the State government. As Minister for Information Technology, Technical Education and Youth Services & Sports, Molvi Ansari has a number of firsts to his credit. He has introduced the concept of e-governance in the State, is mentoring the youth of the Jammu and Kashmir State in taking up sports as a profession and is guiding his department in customizing (to the local needs) and implementing the national Skill Development Programme of the government of India with the objective of job creation and addressing the challenging issue of employability in the State of Jammu & Kashmir.

Mr Imran Ansari Minister for Information Technology, Youth Services, Sports and Technical Education Jammu & Kashmir Government

Ted Baillieu is a former Premier of Victoria, entering Parliament in 1999 as Member for Hawthorn. He was elected Leader of the Liberal Party in 2006, becoming Victoria’s 46th Premier and Minister for Arts from 2010 to 2013, and retired from Parliament in 2014.

As a former architect and Fellow of the Australian Institute of Architects, Ted uses his knowledge and experience to explore Victoria’s challenges and build a better future for all Victorians. He pursues a significant International Engagement Strategy to provide increased opportunities for Victorian business to grow the economy.

He is the recipient of the Aust. India Business Council’s 2013 Ashoka Medal, the 2014 Asian Leadership Special Public Service Award, and is Melbourne University’s Honorary Enterprise Professor.

As Chair of the Victorian Government’s ANZAC Centenary Committee – coordinating Victoria’s commemorations – Ted is passionate about connecting as many Victorians as possible with our Original ANZACs.

Well known for his love of swimming, Ted tries to find time for a few laps or a swim in the ocean. Ted and his wife Robyn have three children.

Mr Ted Baillieu Former Premier of Victoria

Chair, ANZAC Centenary Committee

Page 13: Every effort has been made to ensure that this program is ......brings together senior leaders from our nation’s government, business and civil society. We will be discussing the

Chris Bowen was elected to the Federal Parliament as Member for Prospect in October 2004. Chris was educated at Smithfield Public School and St Johns Park High School. He graduated from the University of Sydney with a Bachelor of Economics and won the Australian Transport Officers Federation Prize for the best industrial relations student at the University. He joined the Labor Party in 1988 and has held many honorary positions in the party. He was elected to Fairfield Council in 1995 and has been Chairman of the City Outcomes Committee, the Fairfield Town Centre Management Committee and the Community, Recreation and Development Committee. Chris was elected Mayor of Fairfield for 1998 and 1999, and became President of the Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils from 2000 to 2002. Immediately before being elected to Parliament, Chris was Chief of Staff to Hon. Carl Scully, NSW Minister for Roads, Housing and Leader of the House. Since being in Parliament, Chris has been elected as Deputy Chair of the House of Reps Standing Committee on Economics, Finance and Public Administration. In December 2006,

Chris was appointed to the Federal Labor Party’s frontbench as the Shadow Assistant Treasurer and Shadow Minister for Revenue & Competition Policy. Following the historic election of the Labor Government in 2007, Chris was appointed to the new Ministry. Chris took on two portfolios as Assistant Treasurer, and Minister for Competition Policy and Consumer Affairs. In June 2009, Chris was elevated to Cabinet as Minister for Human Services. He also served as Minister for Financial Services, Superannuation and Corporate Law.

Following the re-election of the Labor Government in 2010, Chris was appointed as Minister for Immigration and Citizenship.

In February 2013 Chris was appointed Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research and Minister for Small Business. In June of the same year, Chris was appointed Treasurer by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd. Following the 2013 election, he served as Interim Labor Party Leader and Leader of the Opposition while the Labor leadership ballot was underway. He was later appointed Shadow Treasurer by Bill Shorten.

The Hon. Chris Bowen MP Shadow Treasurer of Australia Australian Labor Party

Gai Brodtmann was elected the Member for Canberra on 21 August 2010 and has extensive experience in the public, private and community sectors. In October 2016, Gai was appointed Shadow Assistant Minister for Cyber Security and Defence Personnel.

From 2013-16, she was Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Defence.

Prior to entering politics, Gai ran her own small business for ten years and was a federal public servant, primarily with Foreign Affairs and Trade and Attorney-General’s for a decade.

During her time in Foreign Affairs and Trade, Gai was posted to the Australian High Commission in New Delhi, did a short term mission to Jakarta, and served on the Middle East desk, where she worked on the normalisation of the relationship with Iran, the first Ministerial visit to Tehran in ten years and bilateral policy on Iraq, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon.

From 2000-2009, Gai consulted in Defence across a broad range of areas, including on capability acquisition and sustainment, financial and personnel management, youth development, science and technology, cultural change and diversity policy.

Gai’s foreign policy interests include India and the Middle East, cyber space governance and women’s issues. Gai’s national security policy interests include cyber security, critical infrastructure, defence estate, capability sustainment, procurement and skills development. Gai’s public policy interests include education, small business, superannuation, financial literacy, public administration and female empowerment. Gai is a former member of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade and the defence sub-committee. She is a member and former Deputy Chair of the Joint Standing Committee on Public Accounts and Audit. 

Gai is a member of the Centre for Islamic and Arab Studies advisory group and the Australia-India Leadership Dialogue.

Gai is a former Chair of the National Policy Committee, which developed the 2011 Australian Labor Policy National Platform, Secretary of the Federal Labor Parliamentary Caucus and Chair of the International and Legal Caucus Committee.

A long time Canberra resident, Gai enjoys cooking, gardening, architecture, visual arts, dance, walking, reading and spending time with her husband Chris Uhlmann.

Ms Gai Brodtman MP Member for Canberra

Australian Labor Party

Page 14: Every effort has been made to ensure that this program is ......brings together senior leaders from our nation’s government, business and civil society. We will be discussing the

Swapan Dasgupta is a political columnist and public policy analyst with 27 years’ experience based in New Delhi (India). His columns on contemporary India are published in The Telegraph, Sunday Times of India, Asian Age, Deccan Chronicle, Pioneer, Jagran and Free Press Journal. In addition, he is a regular commentator on politics on Indian TV news channels, NDTV, CNN-IBN, Times Nowand Headlines Today. He has participated in roadshows on India’s political economy hosted by Deutsche Bank Equities and CLSA in Mumbai, Singapore and Hong Kong.

Educated at La Martiniere College (Kolkata) and St Stephen’s College (Delhi), Swapan Dasgupta was awarded a PhD by the School of Oriental and

African Studies (London) in 1980. Subsequently he was elected a Research Fellow at Nuffield College, University of Oxford from 1982 to 1985.

Swapan Dasgupta has occupied important editorial positions in major Indian newspapers and weeklies including Times of India, Telegraph, Indian Express and India Today. He was the London correspondent of Indian Express from 1995 to 1996. He was Managing Editor of India Today until 2003. In addition, he has been published in the Wall Street Journal, Tehelka, The Hindu and New Statesman. A specialist in Indian politics, Dasgupta has been on TV panels in every general election since 1998.

Mr Swapan Dasgupta Senior Journalist

Glyn Davis is Professor of Political Science, Vice Chancellor and Principal of the University of Melbourne and past Chair of Universities Australia.

Professor Davis was educated in political science at the University of New South Wales and the Australian National University, before undertaking post-doctoral appointments as a Harkness Fellow at the University of California Berkeley, the Brookings Institution in Washington DC and the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

Internationally, Professor Davis is a past Chair of Universitas 21, a grouping of 24 leading universities from around the globe, a member of the Association of Pacific Rim Universities, and a Director of the Menzies Centre for Australian Studies at King’s College London.

Professor Davis is a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences in Australia, a Companion in the Order of Australia, and a Director of the Melbourne Theatre Company, the Grattan Institute, the LH Martin Institute and Asialink.

In 2010 Professor Davis presented the Boyer Lectures published as The Republic of Learning.

Professor Glyn Davis AC Vice-Chancellor

The University of Melbourne

Page 15: Every effort has been made to ensure that this program is ......brings together senior leaders from our nation’s government, business and civil society. We will be discussing the

Professor Jane den Hollander has been Vice-Chancellor of Deakin University since 2010. Professor den Hollander introduced LIVE the future, an aspiration for Deakin to drive the digital frontier in higher education, harnessing the power, opportunity and reach of new and emerging technologies in all that it does.

Professor den Hollander is a Board member of Education Australia Limited and UniSuper Limited. She is Deputy Chair and Trustee of the Geelong Performing Arts Council, Chair of Skilling the Bay, member of the VERNet Board and a member of the Kardinia Park Trust. Prior to taking up her appointment as Vice-Chancellor of Deakin University, Professor den Hollander was Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) at Curtin University.

Professor Jane den Hollander Vice-Chancellor Deakin University

Barkha Dutt is Consulting Editor with NDTV, India’s premier news network. She is one of India’s best-known journalists and the youngest to receive ‘Padma Shri’, one of India’s highest State honours. In her twenty-year career, she has covered several conflict zones, including Kashmir, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Egypt and Libya. Barkha has interviewed a range of personalities around the world and at home including Hillary Clinton, Bill Clinton, Nawaz Sharif, Bill and Melinda Gates, Tony Blair, Aung San Suu Kyi, Hamid Karzai, Malala Yousafzai, Kailash Satyarthi, His Holiness The Dalai Lama, Indra Nooyi and Salman Rushdie.

She hosts India’s longest-running talk show ‘We The People’ and a daily primetime show ‘The Buck Stops Here’. Last year, her coverage of the Kashmir floods became the first Indian series to be nominated for the International Emmy Awards in the News category. Barkha is active on Twitter (@bdutt) where she is followed by over 4 million people. She has now turned entrepreneur with her own multimedia content company.

Barkha Dutt Journalist

NDTV

Page 16: Every effort has been made to ensure that this program is ......brings together senior leaders from our nation’s government, business and civil society. We will be discussing the

Ross Fitzgerald is a Director of Visy Industries, and the Founding CEO of Spectrum Venture Management. Ross is committed to promoting greater friendship, mutual understanding and co-operation between Australia and India. To this end, he is:

Co- Chairman, the Australia India Leadership Dialogue; and the India Australia Israel Food and Water Security Dialogue;

Board member of the Australia India Institute; the Australian Friends of ASHA; and the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne.

Ross was formerly a consultant with McKinsey & Co., and he has an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Mr Ross Fitzgerald Co-Chair Australia India Leadership Dialogue Co-Chairman of HRH Prince Charles’ Indian Rural Livelihoods Fund

Penny Fowler is Chairman of the Herald & Weekly Times, a role she was appointed to in July 2013.

Penny also acts as News Corp’s Community Ambassador. Her involvement in building on the company’s legacy of supporting the communities within which we live and work is an area she is passionate about.

Penny also serves as Chairman of the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal Board, which has recently been incorporated and has been in existence for 84 years.

Penny was educated in Melbourne and received a Bachelor of Business Degree (Marketing) from Chisholm Institute of Technology (Monash University) in 1984. In 2011 Penny completed the Australian Institute of Company Directors course – member and graduate (GAICD).

Penny’s various appointments also include serving as:

• Director of the Australian Ballet

• Board Member of the Royal BotanicGardens Victoria

• Member of Monash Industry Councilof Advisers

• Ambassador for Second Bite, anorganisation that distributes food tothe homeless.

Ms Penny Fowler Chairperson

Herald and Weekly Times

Page 17: Every effort has been made to ensure that this program is ......brings together senior leaders from our nation’s government, business and civil society. We will be discussing the

Dr. A.M. Gondane joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1985. He worked in various capacities in the Indian Embassies & Consulates including in Damascus, Baghdad, Vienna, Ankara and New York. He was High Commissioner of India to Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands & Vanuatu. He also worked earlier in SAARC, West Asia North Africa, Bangladesh-Myanmar Divisions. He was the Coordinator for the XIV SAARC Summit in New Delhi, 2007.

Dr Gondane was Officer on Special Duty with Dy. Speaker, Lok Sabha and a Research Fellow at the Stimson Centre, Washington D.C. He is a Doctorate in Sociology.

Dr Gondane was previously working as Additional Secretary (Pol) & DGI, Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi.

Dr. A.M. Gondane, is presently Indian High Commissioner designate to Australia.

Dr Ajay M Gondane Indian High Commissioner Designate to Australia Government of India

Dr Vanessa Guthrie is Managing Director & CEO of Toro Energy Limited, an ASX listed uranium exploration and project development company, based in Perth WA.

Vanessa has qualifications in geology, environment, law and business management including a Doctor of Philosophy in Geology. She has substantial experience in the mining industry in diverse roles including operations, environment, community and indigenous affairs corporate development and sustainability.

Vanessa is Chair of the Minerals Council of Australia and on the Board of the Western Australian Cricket Association (WACA). She is an active member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) and Chief Executive Women (CEW), and a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE).

During 2015, Vanessa was appointed by the Australian Prime Minister to the Australia-India Prime Ministers’ CEO Forum, to help drive the bilateral economic relationship between Australia and India.

Ms Vanessa Guthrie Managing Director and CEO

Toro Energy

Page 18: Every effort has been made to ensure that this program is ......brings together senior leaders from our nation’s government, business and civil society. We will be discussing the

Suresh Goyal is Macquarie’s India Country Lead and is also the head of Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets (MIRA) in India. MIRA through its managed Funds is one of the largest investors in Indian Infrastructure.Suresh has led investments across Real Assets in India, including airports, toll roads, power generation and telecommunications. He is also the Chief Executive Officer of the Macquarie State Bank of India infrastructure joint venture.

Prior to joining Macquarie in 2010, he held senior management positions at leading infrastructure construction and financial institutions including Leighton International, Lazard and HSBC. His experience spans throughout India, Australia, South East Asia and the Middle East.

Suresh Goyal India Country Lead & Executive Director Macquarie

Mr Hockridge became Managing Director & CEO of Aurizon, then known as QR National, in July 2010 to lead the Company through what would be the largest Initial Public Offering in Australia in a decade.

He has led a business-wide transformation program to deliver world-leading safety performance, customer service excellence, and superior operational and commercial capability. The Company’s safety performance is now at benchmark levels and Aurizon has received international recognition for its diversity and inclusion programs as it seeks to build high-calibre capability across its workforce.

Mr Hockridge has more than 30 years’ experience in the transportation and heavy industrial sectors in Australia and the United States with BHP Billitonand BlueScope Steel.

Mr Hockridge is a member of the Business Council of Australia’s Efficient Regulation Committee and a regular participant in industry forums on transport infrastructure and reform.

He was part of Q20, the business advisory group promoting Queensland investment as part of the G20 Summit in Brisbane in November 2014.

He is a Federal Government Ambassador for Equal Pay, a founding member of Queensland’s “Male Champions of Change”, Deputy Chair of the Queensland Premier’s Domestic and Family Violence Task Force, and a business representative of the Gender Equity Advisory Board for the Australian armed services.

On behalf of Aurizon, Mr Hockridge is a signatory of the United Nations Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEP) which has been signed by over 960 companies worldwide and only 26 companies in Australia. In March 2016, Lance was awarded the United Nations CEO Leadership WEP Award for championing cultural change and gender equality in the workplace. He was the first Australian CEO to receive the award.

He is also the Chairman of The Salvation Army’s Queensland Advisory Board.

Mr Lance Hockridge CEO

Aurizon

Page 19: Every effort has been made to ensure that this program is ......brings together senior leaders from our nation’s government, business and civil society. We will be discussing the

Mr. Ajay Jain is a 1991 batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of Andhra Pradesh cadre working as Principal Secretary to Government - Energy, Infrastructure & Investment, and Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA). He did his bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in the year 1989.

Some of his prominent previous postings in the Government of Andhra Pradesh include District Collector- Kurnool, Commissioner AP Technical education, Chairman & Managing Director APTRANSCO, Managing Director APGENCO.

Mr Ajay Jain Principal Secretary to Govt. - Energy, Infrastructure & Investment, CRDA Government of Andhra Pradesh

Craig Jeffrey is Director of the Australia India Institute and former Professor of Development Geography at the University of Oxford and Official Fellow of St. John’s College. He is a leading authority on South Asian youth and also writes on Indian democracy, educational transformation, globalization, and the ‘social revolution’ that he sees occuring across India in the Twenty-First Century.

Craig has spent a total of five years since 1995 conducting anthropological fieldwork in western Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. He is author of numerous journal articles as well as six books, including Timepass: Youth, Class and the Politics of Waiting in India (Stanford University Press, 2010) and Keywords for Modern India (with John Harriss; Oxford University Press, 2014).

Oxford University Press have recently commissioned Craig Jeffrey to write A Very Short Introduction to Modern India, part of its prestigious Very Short Introduction series.

Professor Jeffrey is currently leading a large project funded by the Economic and Social Research Council on educated unemployed youth in South Asia. Craig Jeffrey was recently elected a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences and, in addition to his academic work, is a regular contributor to BBC Radio 4, Times Literary Supplement, The Guardian, Sydney Morning Herald, Australian Financial Review and The Conversation.

Professor Craig Jeffrey CEO & Director

Australia India Institute

Page 20: Every effort has been made to ensure that this program is ......brings together senior leaders from our nation’s government, business and civil society. We will be discussing the

Robert Johanson is the Executive Chairman of the Australia India Institute board. He is a consultant at corporate advisory firm Grant Samuel where he has worked since 1993. Robert has 30 years’ experience in corporate finance and investment banking. He is the Chairman of Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited, Deputy Chancellor at the University of Melbourne and Chairman of the Melbourne University Fund.

He is Chairman of the Australia India Institute and of The Conversation, a member of the Takeovers Panel and a director of the Robert Salzer Foundation, an arts foundation. Robert is also a sheep farmer.

Mr Robert Johanson Chairman Australia India Institute

Shobana Kamineni, a member of the founding family was named Executive Vice Chairperson, AHEL in July 2014.

Championing Special Initiatives for over 7 years, she had directed the company’s diversification into several new domains, all of which have been largely responsible for Apollo’s emergence as Asia’s foremost integrated healthcare organization.

Shobana continues to helm the Apollo Global Projects Consultancy, which steers the planning, design and execution of new projects. She also heads Apollo Pharmacy, presently the fastest growing business within AHEL. Apollo Pharmacy is India’s largest pharmacy chain with a pan-India network of over 2500 stores, 17000 employees; it serves 2,50,000 customer a day. She had steered Apollo’s collaboration with Munich Re in 2008, and she continues to be a Whole Time Director on the Board of Apollo Munich Health Insurance.

In addition, Shobana is Vice-Chairperson of the KEI Group, a diversified logistics, leisure & infrastructure business founded with her husband. She is an Independent Director on the Boards of Blue Star Limited and Hero MotoCorp. She also serves as an Advisor to CISCO India’s External Board.

As an active member of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Shobana has been elected as President-Designate for the year 2016. She also serves on the Advisory Council of the National Cadet Corp (NCC).

Passionate about inculcating a culture of wellness, Shobana had championed the establishment of ‘Billion Hearts Beating’ - an NGO dedicated to educatingIndians about preventing heart diseaseand staying heart-healthy.

Shobana has been a recipient of prestigious national awards for Entrepreneurship and Leadership.

Ms. Shobana Kamineni President Designate, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)

and Executive Vice Chairperson, Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited (AHEL)

Page 21: Every effort has been made to ensure that this program is ......brings together senior leaders from our nation’s government, business and civil society. We will be discussing the

Rohit Kansal is a senior civil servant with India’s permanent bureaucracy. A member of the Class of 1995 of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), he has held a variety of diverse and challenging assignments in the last 2 decades of his service. As head of the public works department in the state of Jammu and Kashmir in India, he is currently responsible for overseeing annual public investment of over US $ 500 million in diverse road and infrastructure projects. His assignment with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy in the federal government saw him keenly involved with a number of path breaking initiatives in cleantech in India including the policy framework of the ambitious Indian solar initiative-the National Solar Mission. He has also previously headed the office of the (then) Federal Finance Minister in India where his key position gave him a ringside and close-up view of many of the critical financial issues facing us today. As District Magistrate and Collector in some of the most difficult areas in Jammu and Kashmir, India, he oversaw the relief and temporary resettlement of over a quarter of a million villagers displaced by the massive security build-up on the international border and was in-charge of the logistics of the historic Indo-Pak peace initiative-the Srinagar-Muzzaffarbad bus service. As Additional Chief Executive Officer (ACEO) of the

highly revered Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine (Board) at Katra, India he attempted to marry tradition with technology resulting in a significant up gradation of processes and facilities at the Holy Shrine.

Rohit Kansal has been trained at the London school of Economics, the Indian Institute of Management, Kolkata and the Thapar University in Punjab, India. He is a fellow of the India leadership Initiative (ILI) of the Aspen Global Leadership Network (AGLN), the Australia-India Institute at the University of Melbourne as well as a Chevening Gurukul fellow. He has been invited as an expert on renewable energy and energy access by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and has served as a Sherpa in the UN Secretary-General’s High-level Group on Sustainable Energy for All (SE4ALL), as well as an expert in the Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM). In February 2014, he spent 8 weeks at the Australia-India Institute looking closely at the challenges facing the scalability of the decentralised energy-access models in energy poor areas around the world. Besides renewable energy, he has also published case studies and newspaper articles on administrative and strategic issues. He volunteers his time and skills for a number of social causes. Widely travelled, he has been published in travel journals too. He lives with his wife and son in Jammu, India.

Mr Rohit Kansal Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir Government Former Chief of Staff – Mining & Renewable Energy

Rohini Kappadath is a changemaker and influencer in building Australia’s Asia Capability and has worked between India and Australia over the past two decades.  

She is currently a Senior Adviser to the India Business Practice at KPMG, where she brings 28 years experience in working with businesses within Australia, India, ASEAN, China, Japan and New Zealand, to clients interested in accessing Asian markets or investing in Australia.

Rohini brings leadership capacity and specialist knowledge on navigating the Indian market having started-up and established the Indian subsidiary for US-based, global software multinational, SAS Institute Inc.

She established the early foundations for SAS Institute’s Global Consulting Division in India, which has grown to become the largest R&D centre for SAS outside Cary, North Carolina. 

Rohini is Chair of the Multicultural Ministerial Business Advisory council, an independent board member on government, private and NFP Boards.  She is the Director-General for IOD in Australia and was appointed a Make in India Ambassador by DIPP earlier this year.

Ms Rohini Kappadath Senior Adviser - India Business Practice

KPMG

Page 22: Every effort has been made to ensure that this program is ......brings together senior leaders from our nation’s government, business and civil society. We will be discussing the

Before assuming her current role, Kathy Klugman led DFAT’s Southeast Asia Mainland and Regional Division covering Australia’s foreign, trade and development policy relationships with Vietnam, Thailand, Burma, Cambodia and Laos as well as South East Asia regional issues and organisations such as ASEAN and the East Asia Summit. Before that, she led DFAT’s Pacific Division and oversaw the restructure of that Division to incorporate Australia’s aid policy and program delivery in the Pacific following the merger of AusAID with DFAT.

Ms Klugman has held a number of previous roles including, from late 2011 to 2013, in charge of the International Division of Australia’s Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, supporting the Prime Minister and the Departmental Executive with policy ad-vice and support on international policy issues. Ms Klugman supported the then Prime Minister in international engage-ments, including overseas visits, leader level meetings, regional and multilater-al meetings, and visits to Australia by heads of government and state.

Kathy was previously the High Com-missioner to Sri Lanka and has held a range of positions within the Depart-ment of Foreign Affairs and Trade, including as Assistant Secretary of both the South and West Asia Branch and the Mainland South-East Asia and South Asia Branch, as well as Director of the East Timor Section. Overseas, she has previously served as Deputy High Commissioner in Singapore, Deputy High Commissioner in Colombo and Third Secretary in Vientiane. Kathy had also previously worked in the Depart-ment of the Prime Minister and Cabi-net, serving as Senior Adviser (Asia) in International Division in 2003-4 and as part of the secretariat supporting the 2004 Flood Inquiry into Australian Intelligence Agencies.

Ms Kathy Klugman First Assistant, Secretary, South and West Asia Division Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Government of Australia

David joined the Victorian Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPC) in April 2014, where he holds the position of Executive Director Economic Development and International, with responsibility for economic and industry development and international engagement.

David brings a commercial perspective to his public sector experience, having most recently been a Director at professional services firm Deloitte in its Melbourne office.

Prior to his current role, David held a range of senior executive roles in the Victorian Government over the past 15 years, including in

• Business Engagement and Industry Development

• Small Business Victoria

• Office of Regulation Reform

He also worked earlier in his career as a Senior Economic Adviser in the Australian Government’s Department of Finance.

David has degrees in Commerce (with Honours) and Arts from the University of Melbourne.

David Latina Executive Director, Economic Development and International,

Department of Premier and Cabinet State Government of Victoria

Page 23: Every effort has been made to ensure that this program is ......brings together senior leaders from our nation’s government, business and civil society. We will be discussing the

Megan Lilly is the Head of Workforce Development for The Australian Industry Group (Ai Group), Chief Executive of the Australian Industry Group Training Services (AiGTS) and the AiGroup Graduate Employment Services. In this role Megan is responsible for the development of all education and training policy as well as relevant service delivery across the breadth of workforce development. Prior to this she was the Chief Executive Officer of Business Services Training Australia, the national industry advisory board for the business services and related industry sectors. Before joining the national board, she held several senior management positions in various Victorian TAFE institutes.

Ms Lilly is Chair of Manufacturing Skills Australia and a member of the Australia India Education Council as well as Co-Chair Skills Working Group, member of the Australian Industry Skills Committee and the Australian College of Educators. She has been a member of the Australian Qualifications Framework Council, and Queensland Ministerial Commission, Victorian Skills Commission and Australia Pacific Technical College. Previously Megan was a member of the National Skills Standards Council, and the National Quality Council. Megan also chaired the Joint COAG-NQC Working Group – VET Products for the 21 Century and has presented at international

Ms Megan Lilly Chair, Australia-India Skills Working Group Head of Workforce Development at the Australia Industry Group

Mr. Sajad Gani Lone is from the State of Jammu & Kashmir, India. He did his schooling from the Burn Hall Missionary School, Srinagar, Kashmir, Jammu and Kashmir, India. After graduating with BSc (Hons) in Economics from Cardiff University, UK, in the year 1986, Mr Lone dabbled with business for a few years in Dubai until he decided to join active politics in India in the year 2002.

A prolific writer Mr. Lone has authored the much debated (in India and Pakistan), document on “Achievable Nationhood”. The said document dwells at length the Kashmir issue with Pakistan, India and the people of Kashmir as Mr Lone has described in his document, as its stakeholders as also the road forward to the Kashmir issue’s lasting solution.

Mr. Lone also takes part in national TV debates in India which are centered around international relations and political affairs. His presence on prime TV channels at the national level in panel discussions has earned him the sobriquet of vociferous panelist, especially on the political issues concerning India’s stand vis-à-vis Kashmir issue.

In the year 2014, Mr Lone was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Jammu and Kashmir State from the Handwara Constituency in north Kashmir after which he went on become a Cabinet Minister in the State government. As a Minister of Animal/Sheep Husbandry, Fisheries and Science & Technology Departments in his first stint, Mr. Lone has chartered several vision documents for the departments under his portfolio. His efforts in transforming the dairy and animal husbandry sectors in Jammu and Kashmir State from a non- revenue earning sector to substantial revenue earning one were widely hailed in the State.

At present Mr. Lone is a Minister in the Jammu & Kashmir government and handles the portfolios of Social Welfare and Science & Technology Departments. Mr. Lone has a dream to transform the Social Welfare Department of Jammu and Kashmir from the supposedly charity organization into an empowering organization. He is also a Renewable Energy enthusiast with passion for development of solar & small hydro power sectors and has a fixed a target for himself to make the state of Jammu & Kashmir self-sufficient in energy through large scale intervention of solar and small hydro power energy.

Mr Sajad Lone Minister for Social Welfare, Science and Technology

Jammu and Kashmir Government

Page 24: Every effort has been made to ensure that this program is ......brings together senior leaders from our nation’s government, business and civil society. We will be discussing the

Prof. Chintamani Mahapatra is currently Rector, Jawaharlal Nehru University. Formerly, he was Chairman, Centre for Canadinan, US & Latin American Studies and Professor at the School of International Studies of Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India. He was the Tagore Chair Professor at Yunnan University for a semester. He was also a Fulbright Scholar at the University of Delaware, USA, Commonwealth Scholar at the University of London, Foreign Policy Fellow at University of Maryland, USA, Salzburg Seminar Fellow in Austria and a Visiting Fellow at the Australian Defense Studies Centre, Canberra.

He frequently gives lectures at Society for International Law and Diplomacy, National Defense College, Army War College, College of Naval Warfare, and various Academic Staff Colleges in India. He has made several academic publications in India and abroad, authored four books, co-edited one, contributed chapters to above twenty edited volumes and published above sixty articles in reputed national and international journals. His recent publications include, US Approach

to the Islamic World; Post-9/11; US-Philippines Strategic Relations; Underpinning Unequal Associations & Transnational Terrorism: Perspectives on Motives, Measures & Impact (co-edited). Prof. Mahapatra regularly writes for Indian media and is a frequent commentator on television.

He has also served in the fallowing capacities:

• Member, UGC Review Committee,Area Studies Programme.

• Member, Fellowship ExpertCommittee, ICSSR

• Editor, Indian Foreign Affairs Journal

• Member, Editorial Board, StrategicAnalysis, IDSA.

• Member, Editorial Board, DiasporaStudies

• Member, Committee on Studies,Academy of International Studies,Jalia Millia Islamia.

Professor Chintamani Mahapatra Rector School of International Studies Jawaharlal Nehru University

Professor Amitabh Mattoo is the Honorary Director of the Australia India Institute @Delhi. He concurrently serves as Honorary Professor of International Relations at the University of Melbourne and Professor at the School of International Studies Jawaharlal Nehru University. Professor Mattoo was the CEO and Inaugural Director of the Australia Institute from 2011-2015.

Professor Mattoo has been the CEO and Director of the Australia India Institute, a Member of the National Knowledge Commission, a high-level advisory group to the Prime Minister of India and the National Security Council’s Advisory Board. He was the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Jammu from 2002-2008. He received his Doctorate from the University of Oxford and has been a visiting Professor at Stanford University, the University of Notre Dame, the University of Illinois, and the Maison des Sciences de l’Homme in Paris. He has published extensively including eight books and more than a hundred articles. He was awarded the Padma Shri, one of India’s highest civilian awards, for his contribution to education and public life.

Professor Amitabh Mattoo Honorary Director and Co-Chair

Australia India Institute @ Delhi and Australia India Leadership Dialogue

Page 25: Every effort has been made to ensure that this program is ......brings together senior leaders from our nation’s government, business and civil society. We will be discussing the

James has always had a passion for politics. As a boy growing up in regional Queensland, his family often debated politics around the kitchen table.

He ran his first campaign as a teenager at Nambour State High School - an ultimately unsuccessful campaign to prevent the sacking of the school principal.

James went on to study Law at Griffith University and was elected President of the Griffith University Liberal Club.  He also chaired the Sunshine Coast Branch of the Young Liberals.

After working as a solicitor for three years, James quit the legal profession to work in politics.

He secured a position as an adviser to the South Australian Government (2001-02) before moving to London to work for the Conservative Party in the UK (2002-08), where his roles included Deputy Campaign Director for Boris Johnson’s Mayoral Campaign, Special Adviser to the Shadow Chancellor, Chief of Staff to the Party Chairman, and also Campaign Coordinator.

Senator the Hon. James McGrath Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister Government of Australia

Mr Rajesh Menon is the Deputy Director General of Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) based at headquarters in Delhi. Mr Menon is currently handling CII’s International Trade Policy, International Affairs and Multilateral Forums.

As Head – International Department, Mr Menon works for expanding business opportunities for Industry through a range of specialized networking events and global linkages.

Mr Menon has been working with CII since 1994. He has served the organization in different capacities and has led CII state and regional initiatives while being posted in different cities across the country.

As a part of his earlier responsibilities, he had led the Energy, Infrastructure and Services verticals and also coordinated initiatives like Corporate Governance, Young Indians and Family Business. He has also been the Regional Director of both the Northern and Southern Regional offices of the Confederation.

Mr Menon is a Post Graduate in Physics from Delhi University.

Rajesh Menon Deputy Director General

Confederation of Indian Industry

Page 26: Every effort has been made to ensure that this program is ......brings together senior leaders from our nation’s government, business and civil society. We will be discussing the

Sheba Nandkeolyar is the National Chair of the Australia India Business Council (AIBC) and a board member of the Australia India Council. She actively advises Government and Industry on trade and business matters pertaining to India and Asia. She promotes bi-lateral business and trade, and people-to-people connections between Australia and India.

Sheba is on the forefront of organising trade missions to and from India and other Asian countries. Sheba accompanied Former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott in his historic visit to India in 2014. She was also actively involved in the business leaders address by visiting Indian Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi, in November 2014.

Sheba set up the AIBC Women in Business Chapter with the purpose of actively linking women in business across Australia and India.

Sheba previously held CEO positions with the McCann World Group, Interpublic, and the WPP Group. She set up her own company in 2006 and is today an accomplished Australian

Indian business woman. She is CEO and Co-Founder of MultiConnexions, a leading Australian integrated marketing and advertising services company and CEO Founder of Global Connexions, a leading global marketing and cross-cultural services company as well as President and Chair of India HR. She is a Board Member of the International Advertising Association - Australia Chapter (IAA).

Sheba was recently awarded the IAA Inspire Champion Award – an International Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Global Communications by IAA in London.

Ms Sheba Nandkeolyar National Chair, Australia India Business Council Board Member, Australia India Council

Mr O’Farrell was a member of the New South Wales Parliament from1995 until 2015 and served as the Premier of New South Wales from 2011 until 2014. Mr O’Farrell initiated and led annual trade missions to India to promote and grow economic, cultural and social links between New South Wales and the states of India. In 2012 his government established a Sister State relationship between New South Wales and the Indian state of Maharashtra. In 2013 during a visit to India Mr O’Farrell began work towards a similar agreement with Gujarat at a meeting with then Chief Minister Narendra Modi. In October 2016 Mr O’Farrell was appointed as the Special Envoy for the NSW-India Relationship.

Mr Barry O’Farrell Deputy Chair, Australia India Council

Former Premier of New South Wales NSW Special Envoy to India

Page 27: Every effort has been made to ensure that this program is ......brings together senior leaders from our nation’s government, business and civil society. We will be discussing the

Nitin Pai is co-founder and director of the Takshashila Institution, an independent centre for research and education in public policy. His current research includes the geopolitics of the Indo-Pacific; defence economics and the politics of radically networked societies. He teaches international relations and public policy at Takshashila’s graduate programmes. 

Pai’s columns appear in The Hindu, Business Standard and Rajasthan Patrika (Hindi). He is editor of Pragati - The Indian National Interest Review, and has published chapters in a number of edited volumes. He has taught civilian and military leaders at India’s College of Defence Management, Army War College and Brunei’s Institute of Strategic Studies, and advised the General Officer Commanding of the Indian Army’s 15th Corps on counter-insurgency programmes. 

He was a gold medalist from the National University of Singapore’s Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, an undergraduate scholar at Nanyang Technological University’s College of Engineering and National College, Bangalore. As an electrical engineer, he has worked in satellite design and R&D in telecommunications equipment. He spent more than a decade at the Singapore government as a policymaker in broadband infrastructure and strategic technology foresight.

Mr Nitin Pai Director Takshashila Institute

Mr. Ashok Pandey, is working in the School sector for the past three decades. He did Masters in Physics from Allahabad University and in Consultancy Management from BITS, Pilani. The Ahlcon International School that Mr. Pandey heads for the past 13 years is ranked among the best Schools in the country. Currently he is serving a two-year term as Chairman, National Progressive Schools’ Conference (NPSC). He has worked, in the past, with Mayo College, Ajmer, Delhi Public School, Jammu and Indian Embassy School, Saudi Arabia, among others.

Recipient of ‘National Award for Teacher’ (2012) and ‘CBSE Award’ (2009) for his contribution in education, Mr. Pandey has keen interest in School transformation, professional development of teachers, technology integration, global peace and climate change. Widely travelled to Germany, Singapore, Sri Lanka, UAE, Thailand, Vietnam and Tanzania, he has led Principals’ delegations to the University of Malta in Europe, University of Rice in Houston, USA and to the Institute of Leadership, Nottingham, UK.

Mr Ashok Pandey Principal, Ahlcon International School, Delhi

Chairman, National Progressive

Page 28: Every effort has been made to ensure that this program is ......brings together senior leaders from our nation’s government, business and civil society. We will be discussing the

Dr Ila Patnaik serves as a professor at the National Institute of Public Finance and Policy, New Delhi. Prior to this, she was the Principal Economic Advisor to the Government of India. Other former positions include Non-Resident Senior Associate at Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, and regular columnist at the Indian Express. She holds a BA (Economics) from Delhi University, an MA (Economics) from Jawaharlal Nehru University, and a Ph.D.(Economics) from the University of Surrey.

Her research interests include international macroeconomics, finance and emerging economy business cycles. Her research on these topics has been published in scholarly journals such as the Journal of International Money and Finance, the World Bank Economic Review, International Finance, and in collected volumes. Dr Patnaik served on various working groups and task forces of the Ministry of Finance, such as those on taxation of financial products, and those to create agencies, including the independent Public Debt Management Agency, the Resolution Corporation, the Financial Redress Agency and the Financial Data Management Centre.

Professor Ila Patnaik National Institute of Public Finance

Sumanth is a Partner with PwC and has over 30 years of assurance and business advisory experience across a wide range of clients and industries. Sumanth also has significant transactions experience having worked with Corporates as well as private equity on a number of buy and sell side engagements.

During his career Sumanth has had significant shared services experience and was the founding partner of PwC’s Global Assurance Delivery Model for the PwC Network. He has also Chaired a number of global committees for the PwC Network on audit transformation. Sumanth was also a member of PwC Australia’s Assurance Leadership Team with responsibility for audit transformation.

Sumanth has significant international experience having been seconded with PwC internationally in New York, London and in Kolkata, India where he was CEO and Managing Director of PwC’s Service Delivery Centre, having built and led an operation of over 1,200 people. Sumanth was also the Australian Board representative for PwC’s Service Delivery Centre in Manila, Philippines.

Sumanth is currently on the Asia Leadership Team with responsibility for India and is focussed on inbound and outbound investments between Austral-ia and India. Sumanth is also a member of PwC Australia’s Governance Board of Partners.

Sumanth Prakash Partner

PwC

Page 29: Every effort has been made to ensure that this program is ......brings together senior leaders from our nation’s government, business and civil society. We will be discussing the

Mr. Solomon Arokiaraj is a 2000 batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of Andhra Pradesh cadre working as Secretary to Government & CIP, Industries & Commerce. He holds master’s degree in Business Management from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University. Some of his prominent previous postings in the Government of Andhra Pradesh include Collector & District Magistrate Anantapur, Visakhapatnam, Chittoor Districts; CEO - Employment Generation and Marketing Mission; CEO - Society For Elimination of Rural Poverty.

Mr Solomon Arokia Raj IAS, Secretary to Government & CIP, Industries & Commerce Department Government of Andhra Pradesh

Mrs. K. Renuka Raju completed her Master of Education from the College of Education and Allied Professions from the University of Toledo, Ohio – USA. She underwent Executive Education in Marketing Management at Columbia University, NY – USA.

She has about 24 years of working experience in education sector in the US and India, including planning and implementing vocation bound programs for disadvantaged youth and persons with disabilities as Counselor and Job Development Representative at Duval County Public Schools, FL-USA. She played a critical role as founder –Promoter of LLSS right from conceiving the idea to plan, execute and develop a chain of six schools affiliated to CBSE in A.P. & Telangana

She was a member, Strategic Communications Group of National Literacy Mission Authority till 2012.

She was a former member of The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) for 8 years.

Mrs K. Renuka Raju Founder

Lotus School

Page 30: Every effort has been made to ensure that this program is ......brings together senior leaders from our nation’s government, business and civil society. We will be discussing the

Girish Ramachandran is President, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) Asia Pacific, responsible for business operations in 12 countries in the regions of Australia & New Zealand, ASEAN, Greater China and Korea. Girish is based in Singapore, the Headquarters of TCS Asia Pacific, where he oversees over 25,000 employees covering the region.

Girish joined TCS in 1994 and has held a number of key portfolios in the organization. Prior to TCS Asia Pacific, he served as Corporate Vice President in the CEO’s office at TCS House in Mumbai, where he was responsible for global strategic business initiatives. Before that, he was Head of TCS Europe (9 years), and TCS Middle East, Africa and Mediterranean (2 years), where he grew the business multifold and was instrumental in developing many key customer relationships with leading global brands. Other roles have included Head of TCS Business Intelligence Practice worldwide as well as Executive Sponsor of numerous global customer relationships.

Girish serves on a number of executive boards, including at the Europe-India Institute and International Business Foundation Amsterdam, Chairman of Confederation of Indian Industries’ Benelux chapter, and is a board member of Kooh Sports.

Girish holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Technology from PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore, Tamilnadu, and a Master’s degree in Management from Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies, Mumbai. He is a recipient of the Frans Banninck Cocq Medal from the Mayor of Amsterdam. He is a frequent guest lecturer at universities across Europe and Asia Pacific.

Girish is based in Singapore with his wife Rupa and son Akshaj, where he is an avid sports lover and long distance runner.

Mr Girish Ramachandran President, Asia Pacific Tata Consultancy Services

Mr. Yanamala Ramakrishnudu is a senior politician and a Politburo member of the Telugu Desam Party from East Godavari in Andhra Pradesh. He served as the Speaker of the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly from 1995 to 1999. He also served 6 terms as an MLA from Tuni Assembly Constituency in Andhra Pradesh. He has held public offices such as Minister for Law & Municipal Administration, and Finance & Planning etc. Currently, he is serving as the Minister for Finance & Planning, Commercial Taxes, and Legislative Affairs in Government of Andhra Pradesh.

The Hon. Yanamala Ramakrishnudu The Hon’ble Minister - Finance & Planning,

Commercial Taxes, Legislative Affairs Government of Andhra Pradesh

Page 31: Every effort has been made to ensure that this program is ......brings together senior leaders from our nation’s government, business and civil society. We will be discussing the

Hon Kalvakuntla Taraka Rama Rao, has been representing Sircilla Assembly Constituency since 2009. Sri K.T. Rama Rao was born in Siddipet, Telangana and grew up in a politically and socially active environment. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Microbiology from Nizam College, Hyderabad. He has two post-graduate degrees – M.Sc. in Biotechnology from University of Pune and an MBA in Marketing and E-Commerce from Baruch College-City, University of New York. Prior to a political career, KTR was the Regional Sales Director – South Asia for INTRRA.

The Hon. K T Rama Rao  Telangana Minister for IT, Electronics and Communications, MAUD, Industries & Commerce, Mines & Geology, Public Enterprises and NRI Affairs

Mr. Muddada Ravichandra is a 1996 batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of Andhra Pradesh Cadre working as Secretary to Government (R&E), Finance Dept. He completed his bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering. His previous postings in Government of Andhra Pradesh include Managing Director, Education; Managing Director Health, Medical Services & Medical Education; Vice- Chairman & MD - AP Health & Medical Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation; Collector & District Magistrate.

Mr Muddada Ravichandra IAS, Secretary to Government (R&E),

Finance Department Government of Andhra Pradesh

Page 32: Every effort has been made to ensure that this program is ......brings together senior leaders from our nation’s government, business and civil society. We will be discussing the

Andrew Robb AO has had a career in politics since the early 90’s and directed the successful 1996 Liberal Federal election campaign.

Prior to politics, Mr Robb worked as an animal health officer and then as agricultural economist. In the 80s he was Executive Director of the Cattle Council of Australia, and later, Executive Director of the National Farmers’ Federation.

In 2003 Mr Robb was awarded the Office of the Order of Australia for his service to agriculture, politics and the community.

In 2004, Andrew was elected to the Federal seat of Goldstein and up until his recent retirement from politics, held a number of positions including

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs and Minister for Vocational and Further Education.

Following the Coalition victory at the 2013 election, Andrew was appointed to the Cabinet as Minister for Trade and Investment and successfully negotiated the Free Trade Agreements with South Korea, Japan and China as well as the 12 Country Trans Pacific Partnership free trade agreement and the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Singapore.

With an Agricultural Science and First Class Honours Degree in Economics, Mr Robb is currently providing strategic advice to Australian and Asia Pacific companies in trade and investment.

The Hon. Andrew Robb AO Former Minister for Trade and Investment Government of Australia

Belinda has been the CEO of Universities Australia since 2011. Universities Australia is the peak body for the university sector in Australia.

She is a highly experienced chief executive of peak national organisations with an extensive background in public policy and in the private sector, including CEO of the Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association from 2005 to 2011 and CEO of the Australian Plantation Products and Paper Industry Council from 2001 to 2005.

Belinda also has significant public sector experience, including Assistant Secretary at the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet and Assistant Secretary at the Department of Environment and Heritage.

Belinda is currently Non-Executive Director of IDP Education and Non-Executive Director of The Conversation Media Group.

Ms Belinda Robinson Chief Executive

Universities Australia

Page 33: Every effort has been made to ensure that this program is ......brings together senior leaders from our nation’s government, business and civil society. We will be discussing the

Bruce Rodgerson is Chief Executive Officer and a director of water technology company Rubicon Water.

Anticipating the water scarcity challenges that Australia is now facing, Bruce, together with four others founded Rubicon in the 1990s. The company has since developed a range of solutions that use sophisticated information and communications technology to address water losses in irrigation water distribution systems.

The irrigation industry has traditionally done a poor job at using water efficiently, and in India, up to fifty percent of water diverted for irrigation is lost before it reaches farms. Rubicon’s technology has the potential to reduce this to as little as ten percent, as it has done in Australia.

India has the largest irrigated area in the world and around 80% of its fresh water is used for irrigation. These numbers make irrigation supply systems the ‘low hanging fruit’ that can be targeted in the quest to balance water demand for food, industrial, energy and ecological outcomes.

As India’s population grows and nears 1.6 billion by 2050, rapid urbanisation, industrialisation and pollution of water sources is putting increasing pressure on water resources. Irrigation modernisation will play a key role if the government’s goal of doubling farmer incomes farmers in the next five years is to be achieved.

Rubicon’s technology is used by all major Australian irrigation authorities and it exports to countries including the USA, New Zealand, China, Spain, France, Italy, Mexico and Chile. India is currently an emerging market for Rubicon’s solutions.

Bruce was appointed CEO in 2010 after being Operations Manager since Rubicon’s establishment in 1995.

Mr Bruce Rodgerson CEO Rubicon Water

Mr Jang Bahadur Singh Sangha is the Director of Sangha Group based in the state of Punjab in India. The state is also known as food bowl of India for its high agricultural output and inclination towards world class agricultural technologies.

The Sangha group has been the largest producer of seed and table potatoes in Asia since 40 years. It is located at Jalandhar in the state of Punjab, an area known for the highest quality of seed production in India. The group is producing over 55,000 tons of high quality potato seed annually which is the largest volume produced by a single group in India.

The disease-free seed potatoes are produced under a limited generation seed program on an area of about 5000 acres in Punjab which is leased from farmers. In addition to potato, Sangha group is one of the major producers of maize in the country.

Mr. Sangha, has a Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture (Honours) from Punjab Agricultural University, India & a Master of Science degree from Cornell University, USA in Fruit & Vegetable Science with specialization in Biotechnology based seed-potato production. He is a renowned businessman & a progressive farmer who sits on various Boards in advisory capacity.

Mr Jang Bahadur Sangha Head

Sangha Group

Page 34: Every effort has been made to ensure that this program is ......brings together senior leaders from our nation’s government, business and civil society. We will be discussing the

Lt Gen Ravi Sawhney retired as the Deputy Chief of the Army Staff. He is a post graduate in Defence and Security Planning from the Royal College of Defence Studies, London prior to which he attended Defence Services Staff College at Wellington and Long Defence Service Management Course at the College of Defence Management, India.

During the Army service of approximately 40 years, he has held important appointments in staff and command of different combat units and field formations. He was involved in conceptual development of strategies at senior levels as the Director of Military Intelligence and was subsequently responsible for the overall coordination of the deployment of Indian Army troops at various UN missions as a Deputy Chief of Army Staff.

Post retirement, he was deputed by the Government of India to monitor the situation in Afghanistan, a country which he has visited almost every year since 2002. He is presently a Dean of Defence Studies in Vivekananda International Foundation, an important ‘think tank’ in New Delhi, comprising retired senior officers of Armed Forces, diplomats, intelligence officers and civil servants.

Lt. Gen (Retd) Ravi Sawhney Dean – Centre for Defence Studies Vivekananda International Foundation

Ms Harinder Sidhu is a senior career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, most recently serving as First Assistant Secretary of the Multilateral Policy Division. She has previously served overseas in Moscow and Damascus. Ms Sidhu’s previous roles included First Assistant Secretary in the Department of Climate Change, Assistant Director-General in the Office of National Assessments and Senior Adviser in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. She holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Economics degree from the University of Sydney.

Her Excellency Harinder Sidhu High Commissioner of Australia to India Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Page 35: Every effort has been made to ensure that this program is ......brings together senior leaders from our nation’s government, business and civil society. We will be discussing the

DD is Promoter/ Founder of ROBE, a $120 million investment in an oilseed crushing & refining plant in Wagga Wagga, Australia. He has successfully set up 9 green-field projects, has exceptional entrepreneurial flair and has sales & marketing experience at senior levels with quality organisations such as Unilever. DD is now leveraging his ROBE experience to set up Oilseeds Australia.

As Promoter & Founder of ROBE, DD conceptualised this opportunity and brought it to fruition, including fund raising and overviewing the build of the state of the art plant for oilseed crushing & refinery (Plant). The Plant was built to exacting environmental standards, not achieved by any comparable plant in Australia.

The Plant was commissioned in November 2012 and is now supplying Canola oil to blue chip Food Manufacturers such as McCain’s, Mars and General Mills and Canola meal to companies like Ingham’s, Baida and several animal feed companies. Under DD’s leadership ROBE has developed export markets in USA, New Zealand and Asia.

The ROBE Plant is already operating at full capacity and achieving world best practice metrics. It has also achieved BRC accreditation.

Mr DD Saxena Managing Director Riverina Oils & BioEnergy Pty Ltd

Ashvini Shekhar is founder and CEO of Ascent Yarns, a leading speciality yarns manufacturer with operations in Australia, Sri Lanka and India. Ascent has pioneered new technology to provide global fashion houses with branding and security solutions. Ascent is the world’s largest supplier of yarns for branding and the first company to recycle plastic waste to make woven labels. Ashvini, an engineer by training, has also successfully started and exited businesses in renewable energy and consumer electronics. Outside work, Ashvini is a husband, a father, and a student of Buddhism.

Mr Ashvini Shekhar Managing Director

Global Pacific Nominees Pty Ltd

Page 36: Every effort has been made to ensure that this program is ......brings together senior leaders from our nation’s government, business and civil society. We will be discussing the

Greg Sheridan AO, The Australian’s foreign editor, is the most influential foreign affairs commentator in Australia. He is the author of six books on international relations and has been foreign editor since 1992. He entered journalism in 1979 as a staff writer for The Bulletin and joined The Australian newspaper in 1984 as an editorial writer and in 1985 was appointed the paper’s first ever Beijing correspondent. After postings to Washington and Canberra he took up the position of Foreign Editor in 1992.

Greg Sheridan’s work has appeared in newspapers and journals around the world, including the Sunday Times, The Wall Street Journal, the South China Morning Post, the Jakarta Post and the Hindustan Times. In 2001 he was awarded the Centenary of Federation

medal by the Australian Government for services to journalism. In 2015 he was appointed as an Officer in the Order of Australia.

Sheridan has interviewed Presidents and Prime Ministers in the Republic of Korea, Japan, India, Indonesia, Bangladesh, the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, New Zealand and Israel, and cabinet secretaries and vice presidents in China, the United States and numerous countries in the Middle East and Europe. He is a frequent commentator on TV and radio and a sought after speaker at regional conferences. His work has been anthologised in many books and has been translated into many other languages.

Mr Greg Sheridan AO Foreign Editor The Australian

Shoukath Sherif, Chairman & CEO of SHERIF GROUP, carries forward the Legacy of Over 80 years as the third generation member of SHERIF Group (Estd : 1936 by his Grand Father Late Mr. M. SHERIF). He is motivated by creating Innovative Customer Solutions and driving quality operations.

Shoukath has 30 years of experience in the field of Cargo and is responsible for Formation, Development, Planning of SHERIF Cargo’s Global Business Model and overseeing all operations including Ground Transportation, Airfreight, Ocean Freight Customs Brokerage, Compliance, Pricing, Procurement and gateway operations. In addition, he manages a support team at Corporate ensuring the success of each Partner providing a positive Customer Experience.

Shoukath Sherif Chairman and Managing Director

Sherif Cargo

Page 37: Every effort has been made to ensure that this program is ......brings together senior leaders from our nation’s government, business and civil society. We will be discussing the

Mr Varghese took up his position as the fourteenth Chancellor at The University of Queensland on 11 July 2016.

Prior to this appointment Mr Varghese was Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade 3 December 2012 to 1 July 2016. His diplomatic appointments include High Commissioner to India (2009-12), High Commissioner to Malaysia (2000-02) and postings to Tokyo, Washington and Vienna.

From 2004-09, Mr Varghese was Director General of the Office of National Assessments, a statutory office which reports directly to the Prime Minister and also coordinates the Australian intelligence community. In 2003, Mr Varghese was the senior international adviser in the office of Prime Minister John Howard. He also headed up the international division of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet from 1998-99.

In 1996-97, Mr Varghese headed up the secretariat which drafted Australia’s first White Paper on foreign and trade policy.

Mr Varghese was appointed an Officer in the Order of Australia (AO) in 2010 for distinguished service to public administration, particularly in leading reform in the Australian intelligence community and as an adviser in the areas of foreign policy and international security. He was awarded a Doctor of Letters honoris causa by The University of Queensland in July 2013 in recognition of his distinguished service to diplomacy and Australian public service.

In October 2016 Mr Varghese took up the position of non-Executive Director on the Board of AMP.

Mr Varghese is a graduate and university medalist in history from The University of Queensland. He is married to Margaret Varghese. They have one adult son and a grandson.

Mr Peter Varghese AO Chancellor The University of Queensland

Penny Wong was born in Malaysia. As an eight year old she moved to Australia with her family and settled in Adelaide.

Penny graduated in law and arts from the University of Adelaide.

Before entering politics she worked for a union, as a ministerial adviser in the NSW Labor Government, and as a lawyer.

Penny was elected to the Senate in 2001 and took her seat in 2002.

In 2004 Penny was elected to the Shadow Ministry.  Following the election of the Labor Government in 2007 Penny was appointed the Minister for Climate Change and Water.  After the 2010 election Penny was appointed the Minister for Finance and Deregulation.

In 2013 Penny was appointed Leader of the Government in the Senate.  After the change of Government she was appointed the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate.  Penny is the first woman to hold both these roles.

Penny is the Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs and a member of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security.

Penny lives in Adelaide with her partner and their two daughters.Mr Varghese took up his position as the fourteenth Chancellor at The University of Queensland on 11 July 2016.

Senator the Hon. Penny Wong Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs

Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Australian Labor Party

Page 38: Every effort has been made to ensure that this program is ......brings together senior leaders from our nation’s government, business and civil society. We will be discussing the

Observers

Page 39: Every effort has been made to ensure that this program is ......brings together senior leaders from our nation’s government, business and civil society. We will be discussing the

Rachel has over 15 years experience working within government, managing portfolios such as innovation, clinical skills training, health, research, and social insurance. She has worked in Europe and Asia, and has post graduate qualifications in health and business.

Rachel is currently Manager, International Engagement with the Victorian Department of Premier and Cabinet, where her responsibilities include the provision of advice around Victorian Government engagement with India.

Previously, Rachel was Manager, International Health at the Department of Health and Human Services, where she led the development of Victoria’s International Health Strategy 2016-20, and was responsible for Victorian Government engagement on health and medical research.

Rachel is passionate about social policy, health system design and delivery, and innovation in public services, with a particular interest in the application of collaborative commerce principles to public service delivery.

Ms Rachel Altmann Manager, International Engagement, Department of Premier and Cabinet State Government of Victoria

Professor Batterham is Kernot Professor of Engineering at the University of Melbourne and a former Chief Scientist of Australia. He has held senior research positions with mining corporation Rio Tinto and is concurrently serving as Chair of the Advisory Panel of the Australia India Strategic Research Fund. Professor Batterham is a fellow of the Indian National Academy of Engineering.

Professor Robin Batterham Board Member

Australia India Council

Page 40: Every effort has been made to ensure that this program is ......brings together senior leaders from our nation’s government, business and civil society. We will be discussing the

Nick Bisley is the Executive Director of La Trobe Asia and Professor of International Relations at La Trobe University. His research and teaching expertise is in Asia’s international relations, great power politics and Australian foreign and defence policy. Nick is currently the Editor-in-Chief of the Australian Journal of International Affairs, the country’s oldest scholarly journal in the field of International Relations. Nick is a director of the Australian Institute of International Affairs, a member of the Council for Security and Cooperation in the Asia-Pacific and has been a Senior Research Associate of the International Institute of Strategic Studies and a Visiting Fellow at the East West-Center in Washington DC.

He is the author of many works on international relations, including Issues in 21st Century World Politics, 3rd Edition (Palgrave, 2016), Great Powers in the Changing International Order (Lynne Rienner, 2012), and Building Asia’s Security(IISS/Routledge, 2009, Adelphi No. 408). He regularly contributes to and is quoted in national and international media including The Guardian, The Economist, and Bloomberg. Nick also regularly hosts Asia Rising, the podcast of La Trobe Asia which examines the news and events of Asia’s states and societies.

Professor Nick Bisley Executive Director La Trobe Asia La Trobe University

Professor Susan Elliott is the President of the Asia Pacific Association for International Education. She is the first Australian and first woman to have this regional leadership role.

Professor Elliott is the Deputy Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor International at The University of Melbourne. She is responsible for the strategic leadership of the University’s international engagement, partnerships and programs; national and international student recruitment strategy; student global mobility; and the student experience. She is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians.

Professor Elliott is a member of the Asia Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) International Policy Advisory Committee. She also serves as a Board member for the Australia India Institute and on the Council of International House, Melbourne.

Professor Susan Elliott Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International)

The University of Melbourne

Page 41: Every effort has been made to ensure that this program is ......brings together senior leaders from our nation’s government, business and civil society. We will be discussing the

Darren Gribble was Australian High Commissioner to the Republic of India. Prior to that he was Australian Ambassador to the Republic of Korea. His other overseas appointments have included, Minister (Commercial) Brussels, First Secretary (Minerals and Energy) Tokyo.

He has held several senior executive positions in Australian Government including First Assistant Secretary North East and South East Asia Division, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

He is a graduate of the University of Melbourne, holding the degrees Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Science.

He has been actively engaged in advising Australian firms doing business in India and Indian firms with an interest in Australia. He was appointed a Board member of the Australia India Council in 1998 and Chairman (2005-2008).

He is an Adviser to the Confederation of Indian Industry.

Mr Darren Gribble Australian Representative Confederation of Indian Industry

Mr Huber is an experienced career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). He has served overseas as Australia’s Deputy High Commissioner, Ottawa and First Secretary, New Delhi.

In Canberra, Mr Huber was Director of the India Economic Section. He has also served as Director, Pacific Bilateral Section and Regional Trade Policy Section.

Mr Huber holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Canberra and a Graduate Diploma in Foreign Affairs and Trade from the Australian National University.

Mr Tony Huber Consul General of Australia in Mumbai

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Page 42: Every effort has been made to ensure that this program is ......brings together senior leaders from our nation’s government, business and civil society. We will be discussing the

Upon completion of her Post Graduation in Law from University of Delhi, Ms. Manika Jain joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1993.

During her diplomatic career, she has served in Indian Missions in Portugal, Myanmar and Indonesia. At Headquarters, she has been on deputation to the Ministry of Commerce and worked in Trade Policy Division dealing with matters related to W.T.O. In the Ministry of External Affairs, she has worked in Divisions which look after the relations between India and countries of East Asia and India’s Eastern Neighbours. She has also served as Director at Indian Council of World Affairs, and Head of Division at Foreign Service Institute, New Delhi.

Ms. Jain has been Consul General of India, Melbourne since 17th October 2013.

Ms. Jain has also socio-legal isues in sectors such as unorganized labour, women and health.

Ms. Jain’s other interests range from cinema to philosophy.

Ms Manika Jain Consul General of India in Melbourne Government of India

Meherlyn has over twenty years’ experience in the University sector. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Commerce majoring in Human Resource Management, both degrees from the University of New South Wales.

Meherlyn has been working in the International Education sector for over twelve years and currently manages the University’s relationships with the diplomatic corps within Australia as well as high level governmental and university visitors to campus. Meherlyn along with a small team of staff, manages the University’s networks such as APRU, Universitas 21 and Global Teach.

It is a major focus for UNSW to be actively involved with and to leverage these peer networks over the coming years. As part of her current role Meherlyn also manages the business development side of the International Affairs team.

Meherlyn has worked in various faculties and units throughout UNSW, and has always had a keen focus in the areas of international affairs and relationship management.

Ms Meherlyn A. Jussawalla Director – Diplomatic and Network Relations

University of New South Wales (UNSW)

Page 43: Every effort has been made to ensure that this program is ......brings together senior leaders from our nation’s government, business and civil society. We will be discussing the

Mr Kasprowicz is Founder and Managing Director of Venture India Pty Ltd, Director of Kaspa Australia Pty Ltd and a former Australian Test cricketer. He is a Board Director of Cricket Australia, a Board Member of the Queensland Bulls Masters and Honorary Ambassador for Brisbane City Council in the Hyderabad, Ipswich and Brisbane sister city relationship.

Mr Michael Kasprowicz Board Member Australia India Council

Stephen Manallack is President of the Australia India Business Council, Victoria, and a Director of EastWest Academy Pty Ltd, advisors on India engagement strategies and innovation.

He is the author of four books including Soft Skills for a Flat World published in India by Tata McGraw-Hill India in December 2012 - providing insights into the “10 mindsets” of Indian business. His most recent book in 2016 is Communicating Your Personal Brand, targeting university students, graduates, young professionals and executives who will face the challenge of working across borders.

Stephen is a business advisor, cross-cultural trainer (India and Australia) and active mentor.

Stephen also manages a Linked In group – the Australia India Innovation Network and is currently working on creating an Australia India Innovation Dialogue.

Mr Stephen Manallack President

Australia India Business Council, Victoria

Page 44: Every effort has been made to ensure that this program is ......brings together senior leaders from our nation’s government, business and civil society. We will be discussing the

Zoe McKenzie is Principal of Trade and Investment Advisory, a firm which advises Australian and international entities on their market expansion into Australia or into one of Australia’s current or future Free Trade Agreement partners.

Prior to this role, Zoe was Chief of Staff to the Hon Andrew Robb AO, former Trade and Investment Minister, where she worked on the China, Japan, South Korea and Singaporean trade deals, as well as the Trans Pacific Partnership and lead-in work on future FTAs with Europe and Indonesia.

Ms Zoe McKenzie Principal Trade and Investment Advisory

Abhay did Economic (Hons) at St Stephens College, Delhi University after which he joined Tata Steel as a Management Trainee. After spending 8 years in the production control / scheduling and export sales departments in Tata Steel he did an MBA at the Melbourne Business School, Melbourne University.

Abhay has extensive experience in the Sports marketing Industry where as the CEO of Worldtel and then Sporting Frontiers he has managed some of India’s most famous cricketers and golfers and secured large sponsorships revenue for instadia advertising and sponsorship rights. Abhay has also had experience in the olive industry in Australia where he was the General Manager for Treetops Plantation, one of the largest table olive selling Companies in Australia, managing operations and sales & marketing for Treetops.

Mr Abhay Mehta Chief Representative

Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) for Australia

Page 45: Every effort has been made to ensure that this program is ......brings together senior leaders from our nation’s government, business and civil society. We will be discussing the

Mr Vinod Mirchandani is Deputy Director at the Australia India Institute @Delhi. He is responsible for programs, management & operations. Vinod has over ten years of industry experience in Banking, Telecom & Travel. Vinod has been responsible for the University of Melbourne’s Engagement in India since its inception in April 2007. His role entails student recruitment, industry collaborations, student services, academic & research partnerships and alumni engagement. Vinod has a Masters in Service Management from the University of Buckingham and has completed the first year of his PhD in Marketing at the University of Melbourne.

Mr Vinod Mirchdani Deputy Director Australia India Institute @ Delhi

Mr. Kartikeya Misra, is a 2009 batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) Officer of Andhra Pradesh Cadre working as Director of Industries and Chief Executive Officer, AP Invest. He did his bachelor’s degree in Computer Science Engineering from the prestigious Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani, Rajasthan, India and his master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) from another prestigious Indian Institute of Administration (IIM), Ahmedabad, India. His previous postings in Government of Andhra Pradesh include Sub Collector, Paderu, Andhra Pradesh, CMD, APNPDCL, Warangal, Telangana.

Mr Kartikeya Misra IAS, Director, Industries & CEO, AP Invest

Government of Andhra Pradesh

Page 46: Every effort has been made to ensure that this program is ......brings together senior leaders from our nation’s government, business and civil society. We will be discussing the

Michael Moignard spent 35 years as an Australian public servant working in trade and resources policy, and trade promotion. He holds a Masters in Science (Chemistry) from the University of Melbourne, a B.A. (Hons) in History and Economics from ANU, and a Diploma of Education from La Trobe University. Michael spent close to 7 years in India, as Senior Trade Commissioner for South Asia with the Australian High Commission in New Delhi. He first served in New Delhi from 1998 to 2000, and again from 2004 to 2008, most recently in late 2012. He also served with the Australian Trade Commission (Austrade) in New York, Santiago de Chile, Manila, and Singapore.

Michael was made a Fellow of the Australia India Institute (AII) in February 2013. He has had two articles published by AII on the Australia-India Trade and Investment relationship. He has spoken at various conferences on India – Australia relations, most recently at the AIBC – AFR Conference in May 2016.

In September 2014 he became a Director of EastWest Academy Pty Ltd, a small firm involved in assisting Australian business do business in India.

Mr Michael Moignard Fellow Australia India Institute

Paul Myler was appointed Assistant Secretary, Indian and Indian Ocean, with the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in July 2016.

This followed a temporary assignment as Assistant Secretary, Strategic Issues and Intelligence to cover the crucial delivery of the Australian Government’s 2016 Defence White Paper, Cybersecurity Strategy, and the continuous Naval Shipbuilding program (including Australia’s decision on its Future Submarines program). In this role, Paul was heavily engaged in strategic thinking on managing rising tension in the South China Sea and was Australia’s senior leader on the Nimble Titan ballistic missile exercise.

From 2013-16, he was Australia’s Ambassador to the Russian Federation, Kazakhstan and the countries of Central Asia - 14 per cent of the land surface of the planet. He has twenty two years’ experience in international relations and public policy.

Paul also served as Chief of Staff to the Hon. Martin Ferguson AM MP, Minister for Resources and Energy and Minister for Tourism during Australia’s

tumultuous carbon pricing and minerals resource rent tax debates.

Previous roles with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade included managing bilateral relations with 38 European countries, guiding 15 Australian Embassies with around 300 staff; leading Australia’s negotiations on services trade and investment at the World Trade Organisation in Geneva; chairing the WTO’s Financial Services Committee; and leading the legal team negotiating the Australia-US Free Trade Agreement. From 2008-2010 he led the Australian diplomatic response to the Global Financial Crisis and the evolution of the G20 as head of the International Financial Crisis Task Force within DFAT and was a member of the Australian Government’s International Economic Policy Group.

Mr Paul Myler Assistant Secretary, India and Indian Ocean Branch

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Government of Australia

Page 47: Every effort has been made to ensure that this program is ......brings together senior leaders from our nation’s government, business and civil society. We will be discussing the

Ms Premji is Director of Premji Board Consultancy and Management Services, Chair and Director of the Bunbury Port Authority and Director of the Busselton Water Board. She has previously worked with Wesfarmers Coal Limited and BHP Research as a mining engineer.

Ms Neema Premji Board Member Australia India Council

Born in Chennai, South India, Harish has lived in Australia since 1968 completing his Higher School Certificate at Melbourne Grammar School, a Bachelor of Commerce & Bachelor of Science at the Australian National University and a Master of Business Administration from the Monash Mt Eliza Business School.

Harish has a background in chartered accounting and investment banking & has set up a number of businesses engaged with India including most recently a business process outsourcing (BPO) unit based in Chennai. In 2002, Harish merged these BPO operations into the back office of Sundaram Business Services Limited, a subsidiary of the US$4billion Sundaram Finance Group. Harish continues his association with Sundaram Business Services as Global Head of Business Development.

Harish has always been an active promoter of the Australia India relationship including Founding President of the Federation of Indian Students of Australia (2001), Victorian President of the Australia India Chamber of Commerce (2004), Victorian President (2005-2009) & National Chairman (2010) Australia India Business Council

He is currently a Patron of the Australian World Orchestra, Convenor of the Business Advisory Panel of the Australia India Institute and a Board member of Not for Profit, Australian Friends of ASHA.

Mr Harish Rao Global Head of Business Development

Sundaram (BPO)

Page 48: Every effort has been made to ensure that this program is ......brings together senior leaders from our nation’s government, business and civil society. We will be discussing the

Mr. Himanshu Shukla is a 2013 batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of Andhra Pradesh cadre working as Director, Tourism. He holds bachelor’s degree in Science from Mumbai University. His previous postings in Government of Andhra Pradesh include Sub Collector - Sub Divisional Admin. / Land Revenue Management & District Admin.

Mr Himanshu Shukla IAS, Director Tourism Government of Andhra Pradesh

Julie Singer Scanlan is Vice Chair of the Australian American Education Leadership Foundation. (AAELF), a leading private diplomatic initiative which brings together Australian and American leaders from government, enterprise, media, education and the community to help review and refine the parameters of the bilateral relationship. The Leadership Dialogue is the only non-US NGO ever to have been accorded the privilege of private White House briefings.

Julie is also on the Board of the New York Global Leadership Dialogue, domiciled in NYC, and member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

She has been a participant in the Forbes Women’s Summit since 2013.

In North America, Europe and Australia, her professional career has embraced journalism, media and presentation training, as well as leadership roles in broadcast and cable productions and NGOs.

Ms Singer Scanlan has a dual degree in broadcast communications and psychology from Newhouse School at

Syracuse University, New York where she serves on the Global Advisory Board.

From 1975 to 1980, she worked for NBC and ABC television affiliates in the USA as journalist, news anchor and documentary producer.

Ms Singer Scanlan moved to New York in 1980, where she became Vice-President of Hill & Knowlton Pty Ltd, then the world’s largest public affairs and public relations company. Her clients included Fortune 100 CEOs and global civic leaders such as Rajiv Gandhi.

In 1985, she was appointed President of Dorf and Stanton Broadcast Communications in New York. In December 1986, Ms Singer Scanlan moved to Sydney, Australia, where she became Chief Executive of Australian Imagemakers. Her Australian clients comprised leaders from business, and both sides of politics.

In 1997, Ms. Singer Scanlan moved with her family to Melbourne where she continued her professional career on a part time basis while raising her 4 daughters—in 2016, aged 29 to 19 years.

Ms Julie Singer Scanlan Vice-Chair

Australian American Leadership Dialogue

Page 49: Every effort has been made to ensure that this program is ......brings together senior leaders from our nation’s government, business and civil society. We will be discussing the

Shaun Star is the Executive Director, Centre for India Australia Studies, which is housed at O.P. Jindal Global University in India. He is also an Assistant Professor & Assistant Dean (International Collaborations) at Jindal Global Law School. Passionate about promoting the Australia-India relationship, Shaun has been working in India since 2010. In addition to his academic appointment, Shaun runs his own advisory practice, advising numerous Australian organisations (from start-ups to listed companies), assisting them with their entry and expansion into India. 

Shaun is an Australian qualified lawyer and has worked at various top-tier law firms in Australia and India, including most recently at Amarchand & Mangaldas & Suresh A Shroff & Co. Shaun was recently named as one of 30 people to watch in the business of law in Asia.

Shaun is passionate about promoting the Australia-India relationship and has published a book entitled “Australia and India: A Comparative Overview of the Law and Legal Practice”, a volume which has received contributions from judges, leading barristers, academics and legal practitioners. The book has been launched by Former Australian High Court Judge, The Honourable Justice Michael Kirby AC CMG, and the Attorneys General of Australia and India.

Shaun is co-founder and Chair of the Australia India Youth Dialogue, a forum which hosts young politicians, entrepreneurs, policy-makers and diplomats and encourages collaboration between young leaders of both of our nations. 

Commentating on the Australia-India relationship, Shaun’s opinion pieces have been featured in Indian and Australian national newspapers and he has participated in panel sessions on Indian prime time television.

Mr Shaun Star Co-founder and Chair, Australia India Youth Dialogue Executive Director, Centre for India Australia Studies, O.P. Jindal Global University

Anil Snehi (“Anil”) is the Vice President Sales of Tata Consultancy Services, Australia.

Responsible for formulating the company’s Australia strategy, Anil has been at helm of several key strategic transitions at TCS. As P&L owner of TCS ASEAN business, he was the architect of quantum growth for TCS in South East Asia business. He has been behind several strategic new business initiatives at TCS APAC for more than 11 years based at TCS APAC HQ in Singapore and ASEAN HQ in Malaysia.

Anil personifies TCS’ commitment to high growth and customer satisfaction. Through his experience in a variety of operating roles, he has built a reputation in the IT industry for his exceptional ability to build and grow new business offerings and nurture long-term relationships. Under his leadership, TCS created new Global Delivery Centre in Philippines and grow it.

Anil represents TCS on Consortium of Indian Industries since 2012 as secretory. He joined TCS APAC in 2005 and played role of transforming APAC business by focusing on acquiring and maturing large customer relationship. He was head of TCS sales strategy and Large Customer Relationship for APAC from 2006 to 2009 where TCS APAC has seen substantial growth.

Anil, an Engineer and MBA has over 25 years of experience in leadership roles in Information Technology businesses. His diverse experience includes roles heading independent IT business Units, holding P & L responsibilities of Independent Business Units, heading technology Business for TCS APAC, Sales Strategy for TCS APAC etc.

Prior joining TCS, Anil had worked with organizations like Tech Mahindra (Satyam) and Mastek Limited.

Mr Anil Snehi Vice President Sales – Australia

Tata Consultancy Services

Page 50: Every effort has been made to ensure that this program is ......brings together senior leaders from our nation’s government, business and civil society. We will be discussing the

Arjun has extensive education, technology and commercial experience with over 25 years’ experience in senior executive and Chief Executive Officer roles. His expertise straddles strategy, business growth, international business development, marketing, technology commercialisation, business transformation, change management and sustainability. Arjun has coordinated IT project implementation and training with organisations such as: Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Covansys, IBM Global Services, Ernst & Young, Computer Science Corporation, WA Police Services, Metropolitan Fire Brigade, Telstra, Health for Aged (Australian Federal Government) & Dresdner Bank (UK) and BHP Australia.

Although a third generation educator, Arjun become a dedicated educator in 1999 after he chanced up on a research paper published in USA. It stated that when many of the near dead, or people who were thought to be dead, ‘came back to life’ were questioned “what was their first thought when they came back to consciousness?” An amazing 87% said they wish they studied/learned more.

Arjun is appointed as Member of Multicultural Business Ministerial Council (MBMC) by the Baillieu Government in Victoria from 24 October 2011 to 23 October 2013 and further extended till October 2015 by Dr. Napthine Government, Arjun is also former the Chair of Export and Human Capital (Including Education) working groups of the MBMC.

Mr Arjun Surapaneni CEO Victorian Institute of Technology

In her current profile, her mandate is to enhance economic engagement through bilateral trade and investment between India and various countries in the two regions. To achieve the mandate she is involved in project management which includes handling visits of Head of States, organizing industry interactions, inward and outbound industry dele-gations, regional conclaves, trade and investment forums and summits and facilitating joint trade and investment forums. She also liaises with the Minis-try of Commerce for trade related issues.

She further facilitates industry by pro-viding them with market insight, identi-fying business partners, understanding of local market requirements and in addressing their trade related issues.

She has been with CII since 2006 and has served the organization in various capaci-ties. Prior to this assignment, she was the CEO of the Overseas Indian Facilitation Centre (OIFC) a public-private partner-ship between the Confederation of Indian Industry and the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs set up to facilitate the Indian diaspora across the globe.

Her earlier activities included organiz-ing business exhibitions in the sectors of Defence and Aerospace, Hospitality, Space Technology, Automotive, Home Textiles etc.

Ms Sudarshan has specialized in Nutri-tion from Delhi University.

Sujata Sudarshan Regional Director in the International Department of the Con-

federation of Indian Industry (CII) heads the ASEAN and ANZ Desk.

Page 51: Every effort has been made to ensure that this program is ......brings together senior leaders from our nation’s government, business and civil society. We will be discussing the

Jim Varghese AM is currently Executive Director of the Springfield Land Corporation and was the Chief Executive from 2008 -2012.

Jim is the National Vice Chair of the Australia India Business Council and part-time Executive Director (Business development) for the Australia India Institute.

Prior to 2008 Jim completed an outstanding 30-year career in the public sector that included experience as a Chief Executive in leading government agencies covering Transport, Main Roads, Education, Training, Employment and Primary Industries in both the Victorian and Queensland public sector. He has an outstanding track record as a Chief Executive capable of running multifaceted businesses with a determined focus and proven ability to deliver excellent and innovative results against a challenging and continuously changing environment.

Jim has been granted the award of Fellow of these professional organisations: Certified Practicing Accountant (CPA), Australian Institute of Management, Royal Institute of Public Administration and Australian Marketing Institute. He is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Jim Varghese is also on the board of EIDOS, Deputy Chair of the Puuya Foundation (serving the indigenous community of Lockhart River in North Queensland) and is a director of the Qld Mental Health Foundation. Jim is Co-Patron of the Federation of Indian Communities and Chairman, Mahatma Gandhi Memorials Committee (Qld).

Mr Jim Varghese National Vice Chair, Australia India Business Council Executive Director (Business Development), Australia India Institute

Mr. Nilaya Varma is Partner - Infrastructure Government and Healthcare, Lead for Government and & Healthcare at KPMG in India. Nilaya has about 20 years of experience in advising state and national governments in India and abroad transform for rapid and equitable social and economic development. Nilaya is one of the leading advisors for large transformation programs in India having personally led transformation at key institutions including Income Tax Department, State Commercial Tax Agencies, State Land Record, Transport, Property Registration, etc. departments.

He is currently leading teams to build to support the national priorities in India such as Swacch Bharat Mission (Clean India), Skill India, Digital India, Make in India, Start Up India, Ease of Doing Business and Smart Cities amongst others.

Mr Nilaya Varma Partner - Infrastructure Government and Healthcare,

Lead for Government and & Healthcare KPMG India

Page 52: Every effort has been made to ensure that this program is ......brings together senior leaders from our nation’s government, business and civil society. We will be discussing the

Daniel Wong is Assistant Minister McGrath’s Political Advisor.  As one of his Advisors, he provides technical, political and analytical advice to the Assistant Minister.  His background as a former Business Analyst, Auditor, and in Political Campaigns means he provides integrated advice based on factual detail and political analysis.  Daniel has a Bachelor Economics (Honours) and Commerce (Finance/Accounting) and is in the process of fulfilling his Chartered Accountancy requirements.

Mr Daniel Wong Assistant Adviser Government of Australia

Joanna Wood is Director International Skills Cooperation: South & West Asia, Americas and Pacific in the Department of Education and Training. The team has responsibility for the bilateral skills relationship with South Asia including key countries such as India and Sri Lanka.

Joanna has worked for 15 years in the Australian Government in the areas of climate change, employment policy and programs and International Education. Joanna has over 15 years private sector experience in business development and the finance industry.

Joanna has worked at the Australian High Commission in India, supporting high level Ministerial meetings and the Australia India Education Council (AIEC). Joanna represents the Department on the Australia India Education Council Skills Working Group.

Joanna’s team has responsibility for the Australian Government’s International Skills Training courses initiative, including the International Training and Assessment courses for vocational trainers and assessors.  

Joanna has lived and worked in India, UK and the Middle East.

Joanna holds a Master of Public Policy, specialising in International Policy, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University and a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment from Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT), TAFE.

Ms Joanna Wood Director, International Skills Cooperation

Department of Education and Training Government of Australia

Page 53: Every effort has been made to ensure that this program is ......brings together senior leaders from our nation’s government, business and civil society. We will be discussing the

Signature Partners

Page 54: Every effort has been made to ensure that this program is ......brings together senior leaders from our nation’s government, business and civil society. We will be discussing the

Platinum Sponsors

Partners

AII@Delhi is a proud signature partner of the Australia India Leadership Dialogue.

AII@Delhi, the first centre of the Australia India Institute’s network to be established in India, opened in February 2015. The Institute’s plans to expand its operations to India with a centre in Delhi were announced by Australia’s Prime Minister at the time, the Hon. Tony Abbott, MP, during his trip to India in September 2014.

By promoting public policy dialogue and academic debate, the new centre will facilitate research partnerships and serve as a resource hub for academics, policy makers and businesses.

The AII@Delhi will work closely with the Government of India, the Australian High Commission, and Indian universities and think tanks to expand the work of the Melbourne-based Australia India Institute. The Institute is committed to deepening and enriching the strategic relationship between Australia and India, a relationship that is emerging as one of the most significant Asian partnerships of the 21st century.

Page 55: Every effort has been made to ensure that this program is ......brings together senior leaders from our nation’s government, business and civil society. We will be discussing the

Visy is a proud signature partner of the Australia India Leadership Dialogue. Visy Global Chairman, Anthony Pratt, is also the Patron of the Dialogue.

Visy is a leading, privately owned packaging and resource recovery company, with more than 120 sites across Australia, New Zealand, Thailand and Vietnam and trading offices across Asia, Europe and the USA.

It also plays a major role in the India- Australia-Israel Track II Trilateral Dialogue, which seeks to improve food and water security in India.

The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) works to create and sustain an environment conducive to the development of India, partnering industry, Government, and civil society, through advisory and consultative processes.

CII is a non-government, not-for-profit, industry-led and industry-managed organization, playing a proactive role in India’s development process. Founded in 1895, India’s premier business association has over 8000 members, from the private as well as public sectors, including SMEs and MNCs, and an indirect membership of over 200,000 enterprises from around 240 national and regional sectoral industry bodies.

CII charts change by working closely with Government on policy issues, interfacing with thought leaders, and enhancing efficiency, competitiveness and business opportunities for industry through a range of specialized services and strategic global linkages. It also provides a platform for consensus-building and networking on key issues.

Extending its agenda beyond business, CII assists industry to identify and execute corporate citizenship programmes.

Partnerships with civil society organizations carry forward corporate initiatives for integrated and inclusive development across diverse domains including affirmative action, healthcare, education, livelihood, diversity management, skill development, empowerment of women, and water, to name a few.

The CII theme for 2016-17, Building National Competitiveness, emphasizes Industry’s role in partnering Government to accelerate competitiveness across sectors, with sustained global competitiveness as the goal. The focus is on six key enablers: Human Development;

Corporate Integrity and Good Citizenship; Ease of Doing Business; Innovation and Technical Capability; Sustainability; and Integration with the World. With 66 offices, including 9 Centres of Excellence, in India, and 9 overseas offices in Australia, Bahrain, China, Egypt, France, Germany, Singapore, UK, and USA, as well as institutional partnerships with 320 counterpart organizations in 106 countries, CII serves as a reference point for Indian industry and the international business community.

Page 56: Every effort has been made to ensure that this program is ......brings together senior leaders from our nation’s government, business and civil society. We will be discussing the

At PwC Australia our purpose is to build trust in society and solve important problems.

We’re a network of firms in 157 countries with more than 223,000 people who are committed to delivering quality in assurance, advisory and tax services.

The University of Melbourne is a proud sponsor of the Australia India Dialogue.

The University has conducted world-class research and teaching, and made significant social, economic and cultural contributions to the world for more than 160 years.  It proudly ranks among the finest universities in the world and is currently the highest ranked university in the Asia Pacific (US News rankings).

Firmly committed to strengthening the Australia-India relationship, the University has operated an office in India to support engagement for the past decade.

The University is partnered with some of the best Indian institutions for collaborative academic and research

initiatives. These include a project to climate proof water security in India’s Krishna River Basin, a collaboration with a number of organisations including the Indian Institute for Tropical Meteorology, The Energy and Resources Institute and the International Water Management Institute.

The University has partnered with the Indian Institute for Science Education and Research, Pune in the development and delivery of an innovative Bachelor of Science that blends online and campus-delivered curriculum. The collaborative Bachelor of Science was launched earlier this year at Savitribai Phule Pune University.

Page 57: Every effort has been made to ensure that this program is ......brings together senior leaders from our nation’s government, business and civil society. We will be discussing the

The Australia India Leadership Dialogue 2016 will take place in the Ballroom of the Langham Hotel in Melbourne.

A help desk will be available in the foyer should you require any assistance during the day of the conference on Monday 5 December 2016.

Wifi Access: Network: Langham Hotel Wifi Password: AUS05DEC

Main Contacts for AILD:

Simone Traglia m: +61 481 014 107 e: [email protected]

Marianna Sarris m: +61 401 098 520 e: [email protected]

Kog Ravindran m: +61 466 538 177 e: [email protected]

Karen Barker m: +61 478 403 957 e: [email protected]

Other contact details and information:

Australia’s country code is 61

For calls from Australia to India dial 0011 + 91 + area code + telephone number

The Langham, Melbourne 1 Southgate Ave, Southbank VIC 3006 (03) 8696 8888

Australia India Institute 147-149 Barry Street Carlton VIC 3053 (03) 90358047

General Emergency in Australia:

Cal 000 for Police, Fire & Ambulance

Indian High Commission (Canberra) 3-5 Moonah Pl, Yarralumla ACT 2600(02) 6273 3999

Consulate General of India – Melbourne, Australia 344 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne VIC 3004 (03) 9682 7836

Page 58: Every effort has been made to ensure that this program is ......brings together senior leaders from our nation’s government, business and civil society. We will be discussing the

AT T I R E : B U S I N E S S / C O C K TA I L P L E A S E R E P LY V I A E M A I L B Y

T H U R S D AY 1 D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 6

T O : A I I - R S V P @ U N I M E L B . E D U. A U P L E A S E A D V I S E A N Y D I E TA R Y R E Q U I R E M E N T S