Russell Higgins AO has extensive experience, both locally and internationally, in the energy sector and in economic and fiscal policy. He was secretary and chief executive of the Department of Industry, Science and Resources from 1997 to 2002 and chair of the Australian Government’s Energy Task Force from 2003 to 2004. Mr Higgins is a director of Telstra Corporation and Argo Investments. He was chair of the Global Carbon Capture and Storage Institute, the CSIRO Energy Transformed Flagship Advisory Committee and Snowy Hydro, as was director of Leighton Holdings, Ricegrowers (trading as SunRice), St James Ethics Foundation, Australian Biodiesel Group, EFIC and the CSIRO. Mr Higgins was previously a member of the Prime Ministerial Task Group on Emissions Trading. In 2001, Mr Higgins was awarded the Centenary Medal in recognition of his outstanding service to government. He was made an Officer of the Order of Australia in January 2006 for his service to the community through the development and implementation of a broad range of government policies including financial management and accountability, microeconomic reform, and science and innovation strategies.
