Former high profile Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association executive director Barry Jones, who stood down from the role in July, has passed away after a short illness.
Former high profile Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association executive director Barry Jones, who stood down from the role in July, has passed away after a short illness.
Below is an announcement from APPEA
Barry Jones - a tribute
It is with deep regret and much sadness that the Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association (APPEA) advises of the passing of its former Executive Director, Mr Barry Jones.
Barry, 59, passed away on 16 November after a short illness. He is survived by his devoted and loving wife M'liss and adored sons Tristan and Edwin.
Barry retired in July 2005 after eight years as Executive Director of APPEA - the peak association representing Australia's upstream oil and gas industry.
Mr Reg Nelson, Chairman of the APPEA Council, said today:
"The contribution made to the Australian oil and gas industry by Barry Jones has left an enduring legacy - in terms of policy development, being the public face of the industry and in terms of internal organizational management.
"In his own inimitable style, Barry engineered and influenced policy outcomes for our industry, leaving it better placed to tackle the challenges of the future.
"His time with the Federal Government - prior to joining APPEA - saw Barry play a key role in several of the biggest policy issues to affect this nation's resources sector - the Petroleum Resource Rent Tax (PRRT) and Native Title
"Barry recognised the dynamics of PRRT, as Australia moved into a new century and changed pressures impacting on national energy and self-security. He understood the need (coming from a senior policy role in the public sector) to engage in collaborative debate to solve national problems for the Nation's overall good. That is a legacy that he has helped forge.
"I know that everyone who knew and worked with Barry will miss his enthusiasm, his erudition, his ability to apply the lessons of history - of which he was an enlightened lifelong student - to the problems of today, and above all his sense of humour and enjoyment of life's qualities and its challenges.
"APPEA, its members and those involved with the Australian upstream petroleum industry will always appreciate his most valuable and positive contribution.
"His was a light that burned brightly. It will not be dimmed by his passing, nor will he be forgotten by those who had the good fortune to work with him and count him as a friend."
Barry Jones joined APPEA in 1997 from the Pulp and Paper Manufacturers' Federation of Australia.
Before that he had a long and distinguished career in the Commonwealth public service, including being based in Paris from 1989 to 1992 as the Australian Government representative to the International Energy Agency, the Nuclear Energy Agency and the OECD Agriculture Committee.
He also represented Australia in international greenhouse negotiations in the lead-up to a critical meeting at Rio de Janeiro and in negotiations on the European Energy Charter.
As a senior Australian Government public servant, Barry worked in a number of departments, predominantly in the areas of regional development, foreign affairs and resources and energy.
He worked on a wide range of issues including the Native Title Act, the Petroleum Resource Rent Tax, de-regulation of the crude oil market, the Commonwealth Growth Centres Program, the Gordon below Franklin issue and negotiations for a trade pact with New Zealand.
