CANDICE STOWER Policy, Strategy, Lawyer

Queensland United Egg Producers is the peak body representing Queensland's egg producers. In this role, I advocate on the industry's behalf.

As a Policy and Industry Manager at global beverage company, Lion, I was responsible policy development and management across a range of issues in a highly regulated environment. I advocated for Lion at both federal and state government levels, in addition to being responsible for stakeholder consultation and management across multiple industry associations.

I was appointed Chief of Staff to the Hon Keith Pitt MP in 2021. As a Chief of Staff, I was responsible for managing media, policy and administrative teams within the ministerial office and engaging with the Federal Industry and Water Departments. I had primary responsibility of managing the Minister's Cabinet duties and engaging with ministerial counterparts on key policy matters. Significant achievements include:

• The creation of the $400m Critical Minerals Accelerator program to provide targeted grant funding to early to mid stage critical minerals projects, which addresses a key challenge to the establishment of the industry in Australia;
• Implementing key Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act Reforms together with the Office of the Minister for Environment;
• Assisting the Minister's declaration of the site for the first low level radioactive waste facility in Australia, ending decades of policy indecision; and
• Assisting the Minister to respond swiftly to Ukraine's request for Australian coal in the context of the war in Ukraine.

• Working for the Hon Keith Pitt MP, I am responsible for providing strategic policy, parliamentary and political advice to the Minister in respect of legislative/parliamentary matters, regional and rural policy, mining rehabilitation and radioactive waste.

• Working for the Hon Keith Pitt MP, I was responsible for providing strategic policy, parliamentary and political advice to the Minister in respect of the northern Australia portfolio, regional and rural policy and Cabinet.
• In the northern Australia portfolio, I was responsible for assisting the Minister to deliver the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility reforms, and securing the first dedicated grant funding programs for northern Australia as part of Budget 2021/22 for the Northern Australia Refresh Agenda, Our North, Our Future 2021-2026.
• In the radioactive waste portfolio, I assisted the Minister in negotiating and securing the safe passage of the National Radioactive Waste Management Facility (site specification, community fund and other measures) Bill through the Parliament, ending decades of uncertainty and critically ensuring the progression of a low to medium level radioactive waste storage facility in Australia.

• Working for Senator the Hon Matthew Canavan, I was responsible for providing legislative and strategic advice to the Minister and his National Party senate colleagues on the consultation, design and implementation of policy and legislation, particularly in matters connected to the future of regional, rural and remote Australia.
• I was also responsible for monitoring and providing advice on the work of parliamentary committees and future policy opportunities.

• Working for the Hon David Littleproud MP, I was responsible for providing strategic advice on drought and rural finance, trade and market access and international engagement, foreign ownership, agricultural workforce, commodities-specific advice (including sugar and emerging industries).
• I assisted the Minister to secure and deliver the Future Drought Fund and more than $1.8 billion in drought assistance for farmers and drought-affected communities.
• I was also responsible for providing advice on regional and rural policy challenges and opportunities in the context of the Minister’s cabinet duties and cross-portfolio responsibilities.

• Responsible for establishing and managing four electorate offices for a newly elected member of parliament, including managing a team of seven, overseeing prudent and effective use of budgets, and ensuring strategic diary management.
• I was also principally responsible for providing strategic advice to the Member in matters relating to policy, media and parliamentary procedure.

• Responsible for providing strategic advice on legislative matters and parliamentary procedure in the Senate, in addition to engaging with Government and non-government ministers, shadow ministers, members and senators, in addition to community stakeholders on key issues.

• Responsible for providing legal advice and advocacy across the defendant insurance litigation portfolio, including workers compensation and injury matters in the electrical and construction industries.
• Within the year, I was able to learn a new practice area and resolve every claim allocated to me within the assessed reserve limits, mostly within the pre-court phase.
• I exceeded the firm’s annual budgetary targets and resolved claims within the clients’ target timeframes.

• Responsible for large scale environmental and property litigation, in addition to product liability claims under the Australian Consumer Law.