New CEO appointed to National Marine Safety Committee

New CEO appointed to National Marine Safety Committee

The National Marine Safety Committee (NMSC)’s Independent Chairman Neil Aplin today announced the appointment of new Chief Executive Officer, Ms Margie O’Tarpey.

In welcoming Ms O’Tarpey,  Mr Aplin said she brings to the role a wealth of experience in the public sector with past management roles in fields as diverse as health, community justice and local government – and from her most recent role as CEO of the Institute of Public Administration Australia (IPAA) NSW.

Ms O’Tarpey topped a long list of highly competitive candidates for the position.

“Margie’s expertise in managing projects and forming effective partnerships with industry is well recognised,” he said.

“She has spent the last 20 years building her professional and leadership skills and NMSC is delighted to have her head our team.

“The strong interest from candidates and Margie’s ultimate appointment hold the future of marine safety in good stead as we enter the next phase of national reform in the maritime industry”.

Ms O’Tarpey said she was looking forward to working with the Committee and the staff.

“I welcome the challenge of working towards a national marine safety system and will be drawing on all my experience in other sectors such as health, housing and local government to further develop skills and standards in this industry,” she said.

“I am particularly interested in raising the profile of marine safety as it is such an important social and community issue”.

Ms O’Tarpey holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Applied Science (Social Work). Her achievements include restructuring Community Justice Centres (CJCs) from a neighbourhood-based program to a state-wide service in her role with Attorney Generals NSW and successfully managing benchmarking projects in finance, governance and sustainability in local government.

She takes up her new appointment on 6 January 2009.

The NMSC aims to achieve nationally uniform marine safety practices and is made up of the CEOs of Australia’s marine safety agencies.

For further information, contact NMSC’s Communications Officer Rosemary Pryor on (02) 9247 2124.