New Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency Chief Executive Officer

Ms Jodie Deakes has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency.

Ms Deakes brings considerable regulatory experience to the role, most recently as an Executive Director at Queensland’s Office of Industrial Relations from 2020-2023. 

Previously she held senior leadership positions at SafeWork NSW and served on the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Council. 

Ms Deakes’ 5-year term will commence on 19 November 2023. 

The work of the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency is more important than ever, as the Albanese Labor Government expands its remit to protect workers’ safety. 

No one should ever contract a terminal illness simply because they turned up to work.

Under the Government’s Closing Loopholes Bill, the Agency will take on a broader role, including the prevention of silicosis and silica-related diseases, as well as silica safety. 

My thanks to Justine Ross for her significant contribution to the Agency as Chief Executive Officer for the past five years.  

Biography:

Ms Jodie Deakes was Executive Director, Work Health & Safety Engagement and Policy Services at the Office of Industrial Relations Queensland from 2020 to 2023. 

Ms Deakes has held senior leadership roles within SafeWork NSW, including Director Operational Capability (2016–2020), Deputy Executive Director and Acting Executive Director (2017–2018). 

Ms Deakes has also previously served on the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Council.

Ms Deakes is an alumna of the Executive Fellows Program of the Australia and New Zealand School of Government and has a Bachelor of Business Management from the University of Newcastle.