Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority Chief Executive appointment receives mixed reaction

Josh Thomas, a former policy adviser to multiple Liberal party environment ministers has been appointed as the new Chief Executive of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA). - the key government body charged with safeguarding the health and future of the Great Barrier Reef. 

Thomas who worked as an adviser to current Federal Environment Minister Melissa Price, as well as former Federal Environment Ministers Josh Frydenberg and Greg Hunt will start a five-year term in the role from tomorrow (18th March) with an annual salary of $353,180.

Announcing the appointment, Minister Price stsated “after a rigorous merit-based selection process Mr Josh Thomas has today been announced as the new chief executive of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.

“Mr Thomas brings a strong understanding of the Authority with more than 15 years’ experience in the public and private sector and has academic qualifications in science and international affairs."

The GBRMPA considers Thomas to be “committed to enhancing Australia’s natural environment and has been a strong advocate for incorporating both contemporary science and Indigenous traditional knowledge into environmental management throughout his career.”

However, his appointment has fuelled accusations the government is moving to appoint its political allies to the top tiers of the public service before the May Federal election.

Queensland Minister for Environment and the Great Barrier Reef Leeanne Enoch states “it’s disappointing that the Federal Minister for the Environment has parachuted one of her own political staff in as the CEO of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.

“This person is a long-term Liberal staffer and has worked for three different environment ministers.

“The Reef is important and the appointment of the CEO of GBRMPA should be made through a full and transparent process with input from the Board. 

“The Morrison Government, in its dying days, has shown once again that when it comes to the Reef, it is more interested in playing politics and rewarding its mates, than making sure the Reef is properly protected.

“Protecting the Reef is one of the Palaszczuk Government’s key Advancing Queensland Priorities. In order to ensure it is safeguarded for future generations we need the Federal Government to stop playing politics and start taking it seriously.”

Neither Minister Price’s statement, nor a statement and biography published by the GBRMPA mentioned Thomas’s past work as a Coalition staffer.

Minister Price said Thomas’s qualifications and those of shortlisted candidates were assessed independently by an external agency. Her office did not supply the names of the other candidates, adding "his application received widespread support from non-government organisations and environmental groups and I am confident he will make a valuable contribution to the leadership of the authority."

She said the selection process was conducted by a public service panel and endorsed by the Australian Public Service Commissioner.

The appointment is part of a new governance structure for the authority that separates the roles of chairman and chief executive.

A spokeswoman for GBRMPA said “the marine park authority as an organisation wasn’t involved in the recruitment process nor did we recommend any particular candidates.

“The Marine Park Authority chair, Dr Ian Poiner, was a member of the recruitment selection panel that provided advice to the minister for the environment.”

The position was advertised in media and in online recruitment forums in July last year.