Statement by Steve Knott AM, AREEA Chief Executive

AREEA congratulates Meg O’Neill on her appointment as Global Chief Executive Officer of BP, one of the world’s leading oil and energy companies.

Meg has long been regarded as one of the most capable and credible energy executives in the country. Her appointment is a powerful endorsement of her executive capability on the global stage and recognition of a leader who has consistently demonstrated strategic clarity, operational discipline and a deep understanding of the complexities facing the energy sector.

Some months ago, I remarked publicly that Meg would be ripe for another major appointment and that, in my view, she was the best performing CEO in Australia. Meg has been a strong advocate for the industry, clearly articulating the scale of investment, job creation, and royalty and taxation revenue on offer if new projects are assessed and approved in a timely fashion and an internationally competitive regulatory environment.

AREEA was privileged to work closely with Meg both during her tenure as Chief Executive Officer of Woodside and through her service as a Vice President of AREEA. In both roles, she brought exceptional strategic insight, professionalism and a practical understanding of the workforce, safety and productivity challenges facing our industry. Her contribution to policy discussions and industry leadership has been significant and enduring.

Meg leaves Woodside in strong hands, with Liz Westcott stepping into the role of Acting Chief Executive  Officer. Liz is highly regarded across the resources and energy sector as a respected leader with deep operational experience, strong people leadership credentials and a clear understanding of Woodside’s culture and strategic priorities.

AREEA wishes Meg every success in her new role and looks forward to continuing to engage with BP and Woodside under their respective leadership teams.

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