I was very pleased with the exposure that SMEC received during the conference and benefit that SMEC enjoyed in being able to be a part of the conference and also the opportunity to network with many delegates from the mining and infrastructure sectors.
Neville Peters
Regional Manager SA
SMEC
Hon Michael O'Brien
Minister for Energy, South Australia
Michael O'Brien was appointed as the South Australian Minister for Employment, Training and Further Education and Minister for Science and Information Economy in March 2009. He was subsequently given responsibility for the Road Safety portfolio.
Prior to gaining his Cabinet position, Michael was Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier of South Australia and prior to that, he was Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure, Patrick Conlon. Michael has also served as a member of numerous Parliamentary Committees. Following the State election in March 2010, Michael was appointed Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Regional Development and Minister for Northern Suburbs.
Before entering Parliament, Michael was a small/medium business operator. He has also worked as a national manager for major Australian corporation Elders IXL and has held senior executive positions in major South Australian organizations, such as RAA and Adelaide University. Michael holds a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Adelaide. Michael and his wife, Jane have two teenage children. The recent Cabinet re-shuffle on 8 February 2011, has seen Michael O'Brien appointed as Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Energy and Minister for the Northern Suburbs.
