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Premier Steven Marshall appoints BHP’s former SA supremo, Bank SA boss as ‘gang of six’ to advise directly on SA’s economic future

PREMIER Steven Marshall will appoint a new high-powered and unpaid panel of advisers, including heavy hitters from finance and mining sectors to help steer SA’s economic future. The Advertiser can reveal the six-person Economic Advisory Council that will report directly to Mr Marshall features big names including BHP’s former supremo in SA, Jacqui McGill.

Government sources say the gang of six are set to become some of the most powerful people in the state, as they regularly deliver direct and confidential counsel to Mr Marshall. Ms McGill left BHP last month after 18 years of service and three years as asset president for Olympic Dam. She will be joined by Bank SA chief executive Nick Reade, a prominent opponent of the former government’s bank tax. Also on the council are University of SA vice chancellor of research and innovation Tanya Monro, former SA Tourism Commission boss Bill Spurr, entrepreneur Geoff Rohrsheim and defence expert Christine Zeitz.


Jacqui McGill is one of the members of the Premier’s economic “gang of six”. Picture: Bianca De Marchi

The new council replaces the former government’s Economic Development Board. Mr Marshall said the new group had diverse experience and expertise, which would be harnessed to develop plans for structural economic reform in SA to create more jobs. He said it would meet at least eight times a year, and cost a fraction of the former EDB. “It’s a skill set which I think can provide useful advice to make sure that we do have economic growth,” Mr Marshall said. “We want to grow as fast as the national economy, in fact even faster. “We have plenty of reasons to be confident that can become reality.”

Mr Marshall said the $90 billion Federal Government defence spend gave the state a strong foundation which must be added to if annual growth of about 3 per cent were to be achieved. “There is no silver bullet,” he said. “We have got to have diversified growth.” Mr Marshall is also moving to establish a state-based productivity commission, which will be tasked with carrying out active investigations into economic reform plans.

MEET THE GANG OF SIX

JACQUI MCGILL
A highly regarded resource industry professional. Formerly BHP’s asset president for Olympic Dam. Recognised with awards for advancing women within the industry.

NICK READE
Joined BankSA as chief executive in 2014. Experienced retail and commercial banker with a career spanning 30 years in financial services. Has a Bachelor of Management and Marketing from University of SA.

TANYA MONRO
Deputy vice-chancellor, research and innovation, at the University of SA. A physicist working in photonics, with a focus on sensing, lasers and new classes of optical fibres.

GEOFF ROHRSHEIM
A former EY Entrepreneur of the Year for the southern region and has had three start-ups in the BRW Fast 100. His Kloud Solutions was ranked by BRW as fastest-growing company in 2014.

BILL SPURR
Former chief executive of SA Tourism Commission. Now chairs board of Adelaide Venue Management Corporation. Has held board roles at Study Adelaide and Adelaide Fringe.

CHRISTINE ZEITZ
Chief executive of Leidos Australia, responsible for a 1000-person workforce and revenues of $400 million. A defence, security and ICT specialist with 25 years+ experience.

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