New Chair for Safe Work Australia

Coal mining industry leader Mr Tony Maher has been appointed as the new Chair of Safe Work Australia.

Mr Maher brings a wealth of experience to the role. He previously served for four years as a director of Coal Services Pty Ltd - a specialised health and safety scheme that provides services to help identify, assess, monitor and control risks in the coal industry. Mr Maher was a member of the Mine Safety Advisory Council, a NSW Government tripartite advisory body on mine safety between 2002 and 2005. He has also been the General President of the Mining and Energy Union since 1998, which strongly advocates for mine worker safety.

He takes over from Ms Joanne Farrell who departs the role having served as Chair since 2022.

Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Murray Watt welcomed the appointment of Mr Maher and thanked Ms Farrell for her service.

“Mr Maher brings immense experience to the role and I’m sure he will build on the significant contribution Ms Farrell made to the agency,” Minister Watt said.  

“Australian workers have a right to safe and healthy workplaces, and I know Mr Maher will work enthusiastically with employers and workers in his new role.

“Under Ms Farrell’s leadership over the past three years, there is now increased awareness of risks to the work health and safety of their workers, including in relation to silicosis.

“The finalisation of the new national strategy to reduce workplace fatalities, injuries and illnesses in Australia is a testament to her work. I would like to thank Ms Farrell for her contribution.”

Mr Maher begins in the role from tomorrow on a three-year term.

CHAIR BIOGRAPHY:

From 2001 to 2005, Tony Maher served as a director of Coal Services Pty Ltd, a specialised health and safety scheme that provides an integrated suite of services to help identify, assess, monitor and control risks in the coal industry.

He was a member of the Mine Safety Advisory Council, a tripartite advisory body to the NSW Government on mine safety from 2002 to 2005.

Since 1998, Mr Maher has also been the General President of the Mining and Energy Union, which strongly advocates for mine worker safety and routinely engages with the Commonwealth and state governments on mine safety legislation, standards and codes of practice.

Mr Maher holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of New South Wales.

Photo available here.