Our People
The strength of GRA’s offering emanates from the experience and standing of its people in both the government and private sectors. The firm has an overtly bipartisan and collaborative culture that is focused providing clients with insight, creative advice and high standards of professional service.
Les Timar Managing Director
Les Timar is the firm's Managing Director, a position he has held since 1996. Les is responsible for the management of the company and is a key player in the firm's strategy and marketing. He is Chairman of the firm's Beijing subsidiary, Shen Ao Consulting.
Les is also directly responsible for the day-to-day management of a number of GRA client relationships. He has worked extensively with clients in the areas of asset sales, major projects, transport and ICT.
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 early 1990s.
John Dawkins Director
Based in Adelaide, John heads up the local GRA office and provides strategic advice to GRA clients across a range of industry sectors.
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 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. A number of Australian and international companies have sought his advice on strategic issues especially relating to trade and investment. He is frequently asked to advise international agencies such as the World Bank and the OECD. He is also Chairman of Integrated Legal Holdings and REMCO, which operates the retail gas market in WA and SA, as well as a Director of MGM Wireless Limited.
Michael Yabsley Director
Michael established GRA in 1992 following a distinguished career in NSW politics. He has been intimately involved in GRA’s evolution as a leading bipartisan government relations firm including its distinct culture and client management practices.
Leveraging his experience in politics and public policy, Michael contributes to the firm’s strategy and business development efforts.
Robin Harris Director
Based in Sydney, Robin works with a number of Australia's largest companies providing political and strategic advice, lobbying and issues management.
Robin has extensive experience in the financial services sector including equities and derivatives markets, funds management, banking and insurance.
Formerly a media and policy adviser to the former Labor Treasurer, John Dawkins, Robin dealt with issues such as Federal Budget policy, financial and capital markets, taxation, superannuation, industry competition, trade practices, foreign ownership, Commonwealth/State financial relations and international economic conditions.
Peter Phillips Director
A Canberra-based Director of the firm, Peter Phillips advises clients in relation to their dealings with the Australian Government, and also heads up GRA Asia, the business unit of the firm specialising in assisting and advising Australian and international organisations with commercial strategies and government relations in China and Thailand.
Peter has spent over 20 years advising companies in relation to government and public policy in Australia as well as commercial and government strategies in Asia. He has also advised a number of Asian governments and companies, including the Beijing bid for the 2008 Olympic Games.
Earlier in his career, Peter held a number of senior positions within the Australian Government including as a senior ministerial adviser in the Hawke Labor Government and overseas postings in Bangkok and Beijing. Peter is fluent in Chinese (Mandarin) and Thai.
Richard King Director
Richard is a Director based in Melbourne, and has a strong track record in senior government and private sector roles. He spent eight years in a variety of senior advisory roles to the Federal Government, predominantly in economic portfolios, including as Senior Political Adviser within the Tax Reform Unit (Office of the Treasurer).
Since leaving government and prior to joining GRA, Richard spent over five years as head of government relations and industry affairs within one of Australia's largest banks.
Richard has considerable experience with mergers and acquisitions and in a range of policy areas including financial services regulation, taxation, superannuation, foreign investment, and government payment services. Richard also has experience with political and regulatory issues in the UK, Ireland and New Zealand.
Dr John Tierney Director
John is a Sydney-based Director and provides strategic advice to clients across a range of industries, predominantly on Federal Government issues.
During a 14 years of distinguished service in the Australian parliament as a Senator for New South Wales, John chaired and participated in a number of parliamentary committees across a range of portfolio areas, with a particular focus on Education, Employment, Industrial Relations, Communications/ICT, Transport and Health issues.
Prior to entering Parliament, John was a Senior Lecturer in Education at the University of Newcastle. He holds a PhD in Education and has served in a range of honorary roles for the Liberal Party of Australia and elsewhere in the community. He is the national patron of Lifeline Australia.
Christian Zahra Director
Christian is a Melbourne-based Director, providing strategic advice to clients across a variety of industry sectors.
From 1998 to 2004, Christian was a Member of the House of Representatives.
During his time he served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport & Regional Development and Parliamentary Secretary to the Shadow Minister for Communications.
Since 2004, Christian has worked as a government relations and business strategy advisor to a major energy company in Victoria. He has also served as a Director of the Victorian Energy Networks Corporation (VENCorp) and as Chairman of the Victorian Sustainable Timber Industry Council (STIC).
He holds a Master of Assessment & Evaluation (Melb.) and a Bachelor of Economics (La Trobe). He is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors
Sam Moreton Director
Based in GRA's Sydney office, Sam works with clients in relation to Federal and NSW Government issues.
Prior to joining GRA, Sam served as Chief of Staff to the current NSW Treasurer Hon Eric Roozendaal MLC in the portfolios of Roads and Commerce, following on from senior advisory roles across a range of portfolios including Transport, Ports, Infrastructure, Hunter Region and Police.
Having spent a decade working for the NSW Government, Sam has extensive expertise in relation to policy, legal, financial, media and communications issues and campaigning. Sam holds degrees in Law and Government.
Kirsten Mulley Director
As a member of GRA’s Sydney office, Kirsten works with clients in relation to Federal and NSW Government issues and opportunities.
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.
Kirsten has worked in a number of government agency communications roles and also in the media. She is currently completing a Master of Public Policy at the University of Sydney.
Alex Cramb Director
Alex is a highly experienced government and issues management specialist. Immediately before joining GRA, Alex served as Communications Director for the NSW Premier, The Hon, Nathan Rees. Over a seven year period Alex has held a number of senior roles in both State and Federal politics including Chief of Staff to Federal Minister for Home Affairs, Communication Director for the ALP’s 2007 Federal election campaign and as Media Adviser to then Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd.
Before his work 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. Prior to 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.
Pauline Sullivan Associate Director
Pauline is part of GRA’s
With extensive experience across the Federal, Victorian and NSW governments as well as the private sector, Pauline’s most recent role prior to joining GRA was as in a senior strategy role with the National Transport Commission, including secondments to the Office of the Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government and Infrastructure
Pauline holds a Master of Public Administration (
Damian O'Connor Associate Director
Damian is an Associate Director of the firm, based in Sydney. He works with clients in relation to NSW and Federal Government.
Throughout his career, Damian has served in corporate, political and trade union roles which have uniquely equipped him to advise clients on government and public policy issues. Prior to joining GRA, Damian served as Company Secretary as well as being responsible for the Office of the CEO and Corporate Affairs with a large NSW state-owned corporation. His earlier roles included senior political party and trade union positions, and adviser to Ministers and public office holders at state and federal level.
Damian holds a Master of Economics from the University of Sydney as well as a Graduate Diploma in Corporate Governance.
Roger Brown Director, Beijing Office
Roger Brown is a Director of GRA Asia and its Beijing subsidiary, Shen Ao Consulting, and has particular responsibility for engaging with senior personnel of the large Chinese commercial organisations seeking opportunities external to China.
A senior Communications/External Relations professional with extensive global experience, especially in China, Russia, South East Asia and Eastern Europe, Roger has worked across a wide variety of industry sectors.
Roger has had a substantial career in the corporate, diplomatic and government fields, including a posting as Australian Consul-General to Shanghai. He is multi-lingual in five major languages, including fluency in Mandarin.
Haitao Wen General Manager – Beijing Office
Haitao Wen 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 with Peter Phillips in advising Australian and international organisations on doing business in China.
Haitao is an Australian citizen and speaks fluent Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese) and English.
Paul Bini General Manager, Queensland
Based in Brisbane, Paul heads GRA's Queensland office, providing strategic and policy advice to clients on Federal and State Government issues.
Prior to joining GRA, Paul worked for the Queensland Government in a senior advisory capacity. From 2005-2007 he was Chief of Staff to the Hon Rod Welford, who during that time held the portfolios of Attorney-General and Justice, and Education and the Arts. During 2007 Paul served as Chief of Staff to the Hon Kerry Shine, Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, and Minister Assisting the Premier in Western Queensland.
His service with the Queensland Government was preceded by three years with the Victorian Government in the Justice portfolio and six years advising the then Federal Labor Opposition including significant experience in the Federal parliament across a range of portfolio areas.
Paul has an educational background in law and economics, and is currently undertaking an MBA.
Tim Ryan General Manager, South Australia
Based in Adelaide, Tim Ryan is GRA's General Manager - South Australia, and is responsible for managing a range of client projects with both South Australian and Federal Government dimensions.
Tim comes to GRA with a strong background in executive government and parliament, having served as a Policy Adviser to South Australian Premier, Hon Mike Rann, as well as in a number of management and research roles with South Australian parliamentary standing committees. Immediately prior to joining GRA, Tim was 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.
Our people
- Les Timar
Managing Director - John Dawkins
Director - Michael Yabsley
Director - Robin Harris
Director - Peter Phillips
Director - Richard King
Director - Dr John Tierney
Director - Christian Zahra
Director - Sam Moreton
Director - Kirsten Mulley
Director - Alex Cramb
Director - Pauline Sullivan
Associate Director - Damian O'Connor
Associate Director - Roger Brown
Director, Beijing Office - Haitao Wen
General Manager – Beijing Office - Paul Bini
General Manager, Queensland - Tim Ryan
General Manager, South Australia