Joanne Farrell

Chair, Safe Work Australia

Keynote title

Evolving perspectives: from perceptions to priorities in work health and safety

Keynote synopsis

In this keynote speech, Joanne Farrell, Chair of Safe Work Australia, shares her perspective on how WHS perceptions have changed throughout the decades.

Joanne will examine the pivotal role the national harmonisation of WHS laws has played in reshaping our approach to safe and healthy workplaces. Against this backdrop, Joanne will highlight the importance of WHS fundamentals in managing risks effectively, particularly for immediate priorities including psychosocial risk management. This keynote promises valuable insights for ensuring the health and safety of workers in all industries.     

Biography

Joanne Farrell retired from the Rio Tinto Group in March 2020 after 32 years’ service, with her final position being Group Executive Health Safety and Environment (HSE) and Managing Director Australia, reporting to the CEO. During her time with Rio Tinto, she held leadership roles in HSE, Communications, Government and Community Relations and Human Resources (HR), predominately in Australasia, the America’s, Europe and Africa.

Joanne is currently Chair of Safe Work Australia and Chair of Brightwater Care Group. Her non-executive director roles also include; Royal Flying Doctor Service (Western Operations) Senate of the University of Western Australia, and Deputy Chair of the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Trust.  She is a member of the AICD and Chief Executive Women.

Throughout her career Joanne has been active in supporting indigenous capacity building and reconciliation and has been active in many gender equity related organizations along with mentoring women in both the Mining Industry and Not-For-Profit organisations.  She was recognised for contributions to gender equity with awards from the Chamber of Minerals and Energy Western Australia, Financial Review’s Women of Influence and Women in Mining International.

Joanne holds a qualifications in Psychology, Economics and Executive Management from University of Western Australia, Curtin University, Australian Graduate School of Management (UNSW) and London Business School.