Les Timar Managing Director

Les Timar is GRA’s Managing Director; a position he has held since 1996.  Based in Sydney, Les is responsible for the management of the company and is a key player in the firm’s strategic and business development as well as marketing.  He is also Chairman of GRA’s Beijing subsidiary, Shen Ao Consulting. 

Les broadly contributes to client strategies and government engagement programs on which the firm advises, in addition to directly managing a number of longstanding client relationships.  His experience with GRA involves advising clients on major asset sales, legislative change, regulatory approvals and government inquiry processes across most industry sectors. 

A lawyer by training, Les held a senior position with an Australian property and infrastructure development company before joining GRA.  He also served as a Senior Ministerial Adviser to the NSW Government in the late 1980s/early 1990s.

ltimar@govrel.com.au

John Dawkins Director

John’s extensive contribution to Australian public life and policy development over three decades equips him with unique insight and perspective in assisting GRA’s clients across a range of industry sectors.  Based in Adelaide, John is also involved in developing the firm’s Asian activities, particularly in China.

John served for 18 years in the House of Representatives for the Australian Labor Party and from 1983 to 1994, was a member of the governments of both Bob Hawke and Paul Keating as Finance Minister, Trade Minister, Employment Education and Training Minister, and finally, Treasurer.

John left politics in 1994 to pursue a career in business and since that time, a number of Australian and international companies have sought his advice on strategic issues, especially relating to trade and investment.  John is frequently asked to advise international agencies such as the World Bank and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).  Additionally, John is Chairman of Integrated Legal Holdings and a Director of MGM Wireless Limited.

jdawkins@govrel.com.au

Robin Harris Director

For over a decade, Robin has advised a broad range of GRA’s clients on major policy and regulatory issues as well as ongoing government engagement programs.

Based in the firm’s Sydney office, Robin utilises his extensive experience in the financial services sector to assist clients operating in the areas of equities and derivatives markets, funds management, banking, payment systems, superannuation and insurance.  Additionally, he leads client engagements in areas such as defence procurement, health and pharmaceuticals, cultural industries and competition policy.

As a former Senior Media and Policy Adviser to the Federal Labor Treasurer, the Hon. John Dawkins MP, Robin dealt with an array of budget and economic reform issues.  Combined with an extensive background in current affairs and business media, his experience has yielded him high-level skills in media and issues management.

rharris@govrel.com.au

Richard King Director

Based in GRA’s Melbourne office, Richard provides the firm’s clients with insight and advice based on his extensive experience in both government and private sector roles.  His strong background in economic policy provides a solid base for the counsel he provides to clients across a broad range of industries.

Over recent years, Richard has worked with clients in the financial services, health, automotive, professional services and natural resources sectors.  Richard’s advice has spanned issues including major legislative reforms, competition policy issues, foreign investment policy and regulatory approvals.  He also has significant experience with political and regulatory issues in the UK, Ireland and New Zealand.

Prior to joining GRA, Richard spent eight years in a variety of senior advisory roles to the Federal Coalition, predominantly in the economic portfolios, including as a Senior Political Adviser within the Tax Reform Unit (Office of the Treasurer).

He also spent over five years as head of government relations and industry affairs with one of Australia’s largest banks.

Richard holds degrees in Business and Arts from Monash University, where he majored in Politics and Psychology.

rking@govrel.com.au

Kirsten Mulley Director

Based in the firm’s Sydney office, Kirsten leverages her decade-long career in both the NSW public sector and political offices across a range of portfolios to advise GRA’s clients in relation to Federal and NSW Government issues and opportunities.  This involves her working with clients in the health, energy, education, social services, professional services, transportation and leisure sectors.

Kirsten has served in a number of senior roles in the NSW Government, including as a Senior Adviser to the Premier (with a focus on Environment, Climate Change and Water), and in senior political and policy positions in the Health, Education, Community Services, Transport and Police portfolios.

Her previous experience also includes a number of government agency communications and media roles.

Kirsten holds a Masters Degree in Public Policy from the University of Sydney and a Bachelor of Arts (English) from the University of Newcastle.

kmulley@govrel.com.au

Alex Cramb Director

Based in GRA’s Sydney office, Alex advises clients in relation to Federal Government issues.

Alex is a highly experienced government and issues management specialist who immediately before joining GRA, served as Communications Director for the NSW Premier, the Hon. Nathan Rees MP.  Over a seven year period, Alex has held a number of senior roles in both state and federal politics, including as Chief of Staff to the Federal Minister for Home Affairs, Communication Director for the ALP’s 2007 federal election campaign, and as a Media Adviser to then Opposition Leader the Hon. Kevin Rudd MP.

Prior to working with the NSW Premier, Alex served as a Senior Ministerial Adviser across a number of portfolios, including Attorney-General, Environment, Emergency Services and the Arts.
Before his direct involvement in government, Alex ran his own custom publishing and communications consultancy and worked in a range of roles in issues management, communications, publishing and journalism.

acramb@govrel.com.au

Paul Bini Director

Based in Brisbane, Paul provides strategic and policy advice to clients in relation to Federal and Queensland Government issues.  His extensive political and policy experience in a number of different Australian jurisdictions enables him to add substantial value to clients across a range of industry sectors and contexts.

Paul previously served the Queensland Government as Chief of Staff to ministers responsible for the Attorney-General and Justice, Education, Arts and Western Queensland portfolios.  His service with the Queensland Government was preceded by three years with the Victorian Labor Government in the Justice portfolio, and six years advising the then Federal Labor Opposition.  His time in Federal Parliament also includes significant experience across a range of portfolio areas.

Paul has an educational background in law and economics and is currently undertaking an MBA.

pbini@govrel.com.au

Tim Ryan Director

With a strong background in politics and public policy, Tim leads client projects involving the Federal and South Australian Governments.  He works in GRA’s Adelaide office with clients in the infrastructure, education, technology, agriculture, ICT and resources industries.

Tim previously served as a Policy Adviser to a former South Australian Premier, as well as in a number of management and research roles with South Australian parliamentary standing committees.  Outside of the government sector, Tim also served as Director of Development with Carnegie Mellon University (Adelaide) during the establishment phase of the institution.

Tim is an economics graduate from the University of Adelaide.

tryan@govrel.com.au

Sean Costello Director

Based in GRA’s Canberra office, Sean leverages his strong commercial background and senior experience in government to offer the firm’s clients advice and assistance on Federal Government industry policy and complex procurement programs.

As a former Senior Adviser to the Howard Government, Sean provided counsel on procurement and industry policy in relation to the $50 billion modernisation of Australia’s military following the release of the 2000 Defence White Paper.

In recent years, he founded and operated a commercial advisory business serving both government and the business sector on matters including project management, economic analysis, and business capture planning.

Prior to working with the Federal Coalition, Sean served for 9 years in the Royal Australian Navy in surface ships, Collins Class submarines, and Naval Headquarters.

Sean has a Master of Commerce from the ANU, is a graduate of the Australian Defence Force Academy, and has authored various publications and opinion pieces on defence policy.

scostello@govrel.com.au

Haitao Wen General Manager (GRA Asia)

Haitao manages GRA Asia’s Beijing office and works with clients on the ground in China.  He maintains close working relationships with national, provincial and municipal governments in China as well as a range of quasi-governmental and emergent private sector organisations.

Earlier in his career, Haitao served within the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  Following postgraduate studies at Australian and Canadian universities, Haitao served in a senior role within the Australian Capital Territory Government and has since worked in advising Australian and international organisations on conducting business in China.

Haitao is an Australian citizen and speaks fluent Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese) and English.

hwen@govrel.com.au

Damian O'Connor Associate Director

Based in GRA’s Sydney office, Damian works with clients with interests in the federal and NSW jurisdictions.  He has experience in the areas of regulatory approvals, public policy formulation, major capital projects and government procurement with client organisations in the resources, education, infrastructure, renewable energy and construction sectors.

Prior to joining the firm, Damian served as Company Secretary in a large NSW state-owned corporation as well as being responsible for the Office of the CEO and Corporate Affairs.  His earlier career consisted of senior roles in political and industry organisations, and as adviser to ministers and public office holders at both state and federal level.  The diversity of Damian’s career experience in corporate, political and trade union roles positions him to effectively advise GRA’s clients on government and public policy issues.

Damian holds a Master of Economics from the University of Sydney as well as a Graduate Diploma in Corporate Governance.

damian@govrel.com.au

Mia Handshin Associate Director

Mia is an Associate Director based in the firm’s Adelaide office with responsibility for managing a range of client projects within both South Australian and Federal Government jurisdictions.

Mia brings a breadth of experience to GRA, having previously served as a Ministerial Adviser to the Federal Minister for Early Childhood Education, Child Care, Youth and Sport; freelance writer, including as a columnist for Adelaide Now and The Advertiser and contributor to The Australian; and running her own business focused on public speaking and training/facilitation.

Mia is a lawyer by training and has been involved in leadership roles with a variety of community organisations with a particular focus in the areas of youth and education.

Mia was the federal Labor candidate for Sturt in the 2007 federal election.

mhandshin@govrel.com.au

Lisa Devine Associate Director

Lisa is an Associate Director in the Adelaide office providing advice to a range of clients in relation to South Australian and Federal Government matters.

With over 10 years experience in the South Australian public sector, Lisa has brought significant skills with her to GRA in the areas of policy analysis and development and project management.  She most recently served with the South Australian Department of the Premier and Cabinet where she was instrumental in establishing the first branch of a foreign university in Australia; the United States’ Carnegie Mellon University.  This required collaboration across both state and federal governments to achieve significant policy and legislative reform, and the navigation of complex, unprecedented government approval processes.

An Organisational Psychologist by training with a Master of Psychology from the University of South Australia, Lisa also has extensive knowledge in human resource development and people management.

ldevine@govrel.com.au

Luke Myers Associate Director

Luke is an Associate Director in GRA’s Brisbane office with a strong background in politics and stakeholder engagement programs.  He provides strategy and policy advice to clients in relation to Federal and Queensland Government issues.

Prior to joining GRA, Luke worked for one of Queensland’s leading communications consultancies where he provided high-level strategic advice, managed issues and delivered results across a range of diverse sectors such as infrastructure, professional services, finance, health and education.
Luke has also served as a Policy Adviser to several Liberal Members of Parliament across all levels of government, and has worked for government agencies in various communication roles in both Australia and the United Kingdom.

Luke is a certified IAP2 practitioner with certificates from the International Association of Public Participation (IAP2) in Planning for Effective Public Participation, Effective Communication for Public Participation and Techniques for Effective Public Participation.

Luke is a graduate of the University of Queensland where he completed a Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Political Science.

lmyers@govrel.com.au
 

Sean Johnson Associate Director

Based in Sydney, Sean works with clients on NSW and Federal Government issues.

For much of the past 15 years, Sean has worked in various ministerial advisory roles to the Coalition covering the Industry, Resources, Tourism and Treasury portfolios at federal level, and also with the then NSW Opposition as an adviser to the Hon. Barry O'Farrell MP.

Sean has policy experience in a diverse range of industry areas in both government and non-government areas, including innovation, venture capital, industry policy, pharmaceuticals, financial services and e-health. He has also worked as a public policy adviser in Sydney and London for private corporations involved in PPPs and government service delivery.

Sean holds a Masters Degree in International Relations from the University of Sydney and a Bachelor of Business from Charles Sturt University.

sjohnson@govrel.com.au

Stuart Eaton Associate Director

Stuart is an Associate Director based in the Melbourne office who works with a variety of clients on matters involving the Federal and Victorian Governments.

Prior to joining GRA, Stuart spent over a decade serving as a policy, political or media adviser to a number of ministers, shadow ministers and leaders in the Federal and Victorian Coalition covering policy areas including Environment and Water, Education and Training, Foreign Affairs, Emissions Trading, Infrastructure, Community Services, and Gaming. He also worked for the Liberal Party at both state and national level, and has been involved in over a dozen federal and state election campaigns across the country.

Stuart holds qualifications in business and tourism.

seaton@govrel.com.au

Ryan Bondar Associate

Ryan is based in the firm’s Sydney office and advises clients predominantly in relation to NSW Government issues.

Prior to joining GRA, Ryan served as Policy Adviser to the then NSW Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. Barry O’Farrell MP.  This involved working across a range of portfolio areas including Infrastructure, Health, Transport and Education.

Ryan’s previous experience also includes working for the Australian Medical Association (NSW), as a Policy Adviser as well as a number of roles within the telecommunications industry.

Ryan holds a Bachelor of Economics (Social Science) from the University of Sydney.

rbondar@govrel.com.au

Brent Crockford Associate

Based in the Melbourne office, Brent is primarily responsible for providing advice and analysis to clients on Victorian Government affairs.

Brent’s previous policy and political involvement includes five years as an Adviser to a Federal Coalition Shadow Minister in portfolios including Education, Treasury, and Broadband and Communications.  He has also worked in the office of a Victorian State Coalition Shadow Minister and Deputy Leader of the Opposition (Legislative Council).

Additionally, Brent has had experience in advising political campaigns at both state and federal level.

Brent is a graduate of the University of Melbourne where he completed a Bachelor of Arts degree with a Major in Politics.

bcrockford@govrel.com.au