MNF Steering Committee

We keep a register of all accepted gifts and benefits over AU$100 (excluding GST) within 28 days of receipt. We are required to publish our register quarterly.

Note: Value is estimated value in AU$

Overview

The Director of the Marine National Facility (MNF) manages the delivery of the MNF to its users. The Director is employed by CSIRO and, through the Executive Director for Digital, National Facilities and Collections, is ultimately responsible to the Chief Executive, CSIRO. The MNF is subject to CSIRO governance structures and policies.

The independent Marine National Facility Steering Committee (MNFSC) provides high-level advice to the MNF Director.  MNFSC members also act as advocates for the MNF. The Committee is charged with providing advice to the MNF Director consistent with CSIRO’s ongoing delivery of ocean research capabilities for the nation and with advocacy on behalf of the MNF.

Operational procedures are consistent with the principles set out in the Guidelines For The Operation Of National Research Facilities report to the Prime Minister by the Australian Science and Technology Council (ASTEC), January 1984.

The MNFSC is supported in performing these functions by two independent sub-committees: Research Advisory Committee and National Benefit Advisory Committee.

For further information about the MNFSC, including delineation of its role, view the MNFSC Charter and Terms of Reference.

Members

Ms Anne-Marie Lansdown | Independent Chair

Ms Anne-Marie Lansdown is an experienced executive who has worked in government in the education and research sectors nationally and internationally. As a senior executive in the Education, Industry and Communications departments she developed a deep understanding of higher education and research policy. In the international space she worked on bilateral science and technology agreements, OECD committees, and UN summits.

Anne-Marie was one of the architects of NCRIS, developing three of the NCRIS roadmaps and the Super Science funding package that included amongst other investments $387.7 million for the new marine research vessel, extensions to the Integrated Marine Observing System network, infrastructure at the Australian Institute of Marine Science, and the upgrading of climate change computing.

She was Chief of Staff to Australia’s former Chief Scientist, Dr Alan Finkel, and most recently she was Deputy Chief Executive at Universities Australia, where she was responsible for managing the policy agenda.

Anne-Marie currently sits on the boards of the Australian Research Data Commons, Cooperative Research Australia and the Australian National Imaging Facility, and is a member of the University of Canberra Council. She is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Mr Greg Hood AO | Member (Government Representative)

Chair - Australian Aviation Hall of Fame

Greg Hood is currently Chair of the Australian Aviation Hall of Fame, and Honorary Governor of the Air Sport Australia Confederation.

Greg recently completed a 3-year term as Deputy Chair of Airservices Australia (2021 – 2024) and prior to this appointment, completed a five-year tenure as Chief Commissioner and CEO of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB 2026 – 2021).

Greg has more than 44 years’ experience in the transport industry, beginning his career with almost a decade of service with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). During his RAAF tenure, Greg worked at locations throughout Australia and served in the Middle East.

Greg has since had a wide range of operational, training, and leadership roles in Airservices Australia and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority prior to his appointment as Chief Commissioner of the ATSB in 2016. In this role, he was integrally involved in aviation, maritime and rail transport safety matters.

In addition to being a glider and powered aircraft pilot and a keen sailor, Greg is involved with several professional bodies. He is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society, a Freeman in the Honourable Company of Air Pilots, a Life Member of the Qantas Founders Museum, and a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Greg has also served as a Board Member of Safeskies Australia and was a past president of the Canberra Philharmonic Society. Greg has also served as a member of the business advisory council for World Vision, and for many years, was a Champion for the St Vincent de Paul CEO Sleep-out, raising funds for Australia’s homeless. Greg is also a Director of the Air Force Association, is a judge for Canberra’s community arts 'Ovation Awards', a Crisis Supporter, Mentor and Supervisor at Lifeline, a voluntary guide at the Australian War Memorial, and the youth coordinator for the Rotary Club of Canberra Sunrise. Greg was recently appointed to the ACT Committee of the Order of Australia Association. 

Greg was made an Office of the Order of Australia (AO) in 2023 for his service to the transport industry and not-for-profit sector.

TBA | Member (User Community Representative)

Mr Jason Mundy | Member (Government Representative)

Head of Division - Climate Change Policy, Adaptation and Risk, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water

Jason Mundy is currently Head of Division for the Climate Change Policy, Adaptation and Risk Division within the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. Jason heads up a team that supports the department’s climate change agenda, including by guiding how government and communities understand and adapt to escalating climate risks.

Jason has held various executive roles across Parks Australia, including as Assistant Secretary of the Marine Parks Branch from 2016-2019 and Head of Division for Parks Australia from 2020-2024.  Key areas of responsibility included creating and managing Australia’s 58 Commonwealth Marine Parks (the world’s largest marine parks network), delivering a $600m infrastructure improvement program and managing island parks in Norfolk, Christmas and Pulu Keeling Islands and the Australian National Botanic Gardens.

Previously Jason worked in Environment Protection Division, where he first led a team to implement a national ban on certain waste exports and later acted as First Assistant Secretary for the Division.

Jason was General Manager, Strategies Branch at the Australian Antarctic Division from 2011 until 2016. Prior to that, he worked for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on overseas postings in the Philippines and Thailand, and positions in Canberra, including Director, China Political and External Section. Jason has also worked as a Senior Adviser in the Office of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and as a senior adviser in the International Division of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.

Jason holds an MA (International Relations), a Graduate Diploma (Foreign Affairs and Trade) and did his first degree, a Bachelor of Arts and Law (with First Class Honours in law), at the University of Tasmania.

Dr Elizabeth (Beth) Woods OAM FTSE | Member (Independent)

Chair - Fisheries Research and Development Corporation

Dr Beth Woods was appointed Chair of the FRDC Board from 4 June 2024. She is currently a Commissioner for International Agricultural Research with ACIAR and Chair of the Australian Institute of Marine Science Council. These roles combine her longstanding interests in the contributions of good governance and science to managing the food and environmental systems which support human livelihoods and wellbeing while protecting environmental values.

Beth retired in 2021 as Director-General of the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries where she led development initiatives to deliver an innovative, productive and sustainable agriculture, fisheries and forestry sector. Previously she was the foundation Director of the University of Queensland Rural Extension Centre, and Professor of Agribusiness at UQ from 1997-2004.

Beth has served on a wide range of boards and committees including for the Grains Research & Development Corporation, the CSIRO Board, the Gatton College Council and the Queensland Rural Adjustment Authority Board (now QRIDA). She has chaired national R&D activities including RIRDC (now AgriFutures), ACIAR, a National Drought Policy Review, and global research institutes including the International Rice Research Institute headquartered in the Philippines and WorldFish headquartered in Penang.  She was the independent Chair of the Policy Council of Cattle Council of Australia (2021-22) and served on the Queensland Government Native Vegetation Scientific Expert Panel in 2021-22.

Beth completed a B Agric Sci (Hons) at the University of Queensland and a D.Phil. in Agricultural Economics at Oxford University.  She was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Sciences by the University of Queensland in 2021 for her contribution to agriculture and related research.

Dr Lyndon Llewellyn | NMSC Ex officio

Deputy Chair - National Marine Science Committee

Dr Lyndon Llewellyn gained his PhD in Marine Biology from the University of Queensland, followed by additional training in analytical biochemistry (University of NSW) and molecular pharmacology (Yale University). Starting out in biotechnology research at the Australian Institute of Marine Science, his interests and roles have moved towards data science, policy and impact. Along the way, he has led multiorganisational (government, industry) projects on e-research, technology development (biosensors), biodiscovery and marine ecotoxicology (using both biomolecular tools and model organisms).

In recent years, Lyndon’s focus on has been on research management which has given him deep experience in the business of doing marine science from the field to the laboratory, and involvement in commercialisation projects has honed his IP skills.  He has a strong interest in the conversion of science into real world impact and maximizing the benefits of marine science to its many stakeholders.  This is achieved through understanding the socioeconomic value of marine industries and ecosystems and how research informs their sustainable development.  This is informed by his diverse technical experience and the stakeholder engagement history from his science leadership roles.  Lyndon is currently Chair of the Science and Technology Committee for the Integrated Marine Observing System and Deputy Chair of the National Marine Science Committee.

Dr Rob Hough | Ex-officio

Executive Director - Digital, National Facilities and Collections, CSIRO

Dr Rob Hough is the Business Unit Director for CSIRO Mineral Resources, leading an applied research capability of over 300 researchers at multiple sites across Australia.

Rob works closely with the exploration and mining industry, with SMEs, the METS Technology sector and with Government to deliver impact from science that supports a sustainable and globally competitive minerals industry for Australia.

He has over 25 years’ experience in research leadership, stakeholder engagement and the application of research and technology to the minerals industry and government.

Rob is currently a member of the CSIRO Leadership Team.

Professor Nerilie Abram | Ex officio

Chief Scientist - Australian Antarctic Division

Professor Nerilie Abram is the Chief Scientist at the Australian Antarctic Division. Her research has used Antarctic ice cores to understand how Earth's climate behaved naturally in the past, and how human-caused climate warming is now changing Antarctica and its impacts on Australia.

Nerilie has completed 5 expeditions to Antarctica, including leading the ice drilling programs for Australia’s Denman Terrestrial Campaign in 2023/24.

Prior to commencing her role as Chief Scientist, she was based at the Australian National University and was a Deputy Director of the Australian Centre for Excellence in Antarctic Science. Nerilie was a coordinating lead author for the 2019 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report into the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate, and is also serving as a coordinating lead author for the IPCC 7th Assessment Report.

In 2024, Nerilie was elected as a fellow of the Australian Academy of Science.

We keep a register of all accepted gifts and benefits over AU$100 (excluding GST) within 28 days of receipt. We are required to publish our register quarterly.

Note: Value is estimated value in AU$

Overview

The Director of the Marine National Facility (MNF) manages the delivery of the MNF to its users. The Director is employed by CSIRO and, through the Executive Director for Digital, National Facilities and Collections, is ultimately responsible to the Chief Executive, CSIRO. The MNF is subject to CSIRO governance structures and policies.

The independent Marine National Facility Steering Committee (MNFSC) provides high-level advice to the MNF Director.  MNFSC members also act as advocates for the MNF. The Committee is charged with providing advice to the MNF Director consistent with CSIRO’s ongoing delivery of ocean research capabilities for the nation and with advocacy on behalf of the MNF.

Operational procedures are consistent with the principles set out in the Guidelines For The Operation Of National Research Facilities report to the Prime Minister by the Australian Science and Technology Council (ASTEC), January 1984.

The MNFSC is supported in performing these functions by two independent sub-committees: Research Advisory Committee and National Benefit Advisory Committee.

For further information about the MNFSC, including delineation of its role, view the MNFSC Charter and Terms of Reference.

Members

Ms Anne-Marie Lansdown | Independent Chair

Ms Anne-Marie Lansdown is an experienced executive who has worked in government in the education and research sectors nationally and internationally. As a senior executive in the Education, Industry and Communications departments she developed a deep understanding of higher education and research policy. In the international space she worked on bilateral science and technology agreements, OECD committees, and UN summits.

Anne-Marie was one of the architects of NCRIS, developing three of the NCRIS roadmaps and the Super Science funding package that included amongst other investments $387.7 million for the new marine research vessel, extensions to the Integrated Marine Observing System network, infrastructure at the Australian Institute of Marine Science, and the upgrading of climate change computing.

She was Chief of Staff to Australia’s former Chief Scientist, Dr Alan Finkel, and most recently she was Deputy Chief Executive at Universities Australia, where she was responsible for managing the policy agenda.

Anne-Marie currently sits on the boards of the Australian Research Data Commons, Cooperative Research Australia and the Australian National Imaging Facility, and is a member of the University of Canberra Council. She is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Mr Greg Hood AO | Member (Government Representative)

Chair - Australian Aviation Hall of Fame

Greg Hood is currently Chair of the Australian Aviation Hall of Fame, and Honorary Governor of the Air Sport Australia Confederation.

Greg recently completed a 3-year term as Deputy Chair of Airservices Australia (2021 – 2024) and prior to this appointment, completed a five-year tenure as Chief Commissioner and CEO of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB 2026 – 2021).

Greg has more than 44 years’ experience in the transport industry, beginning his career with almost a decade of service with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). During his RAAF tenure, Greg worked at locations throughout Australia and served in the Middle East.

Greg has since had a wide range of operational, training, and leadership roles in Airservices Australia and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority prior to his appointment as Chief Commissioner of the ATSB in 2016. In this role, he was integrally involved in aviation, maritime and rail transport safety matters.

In addition to being a glider and powered aircraft pilot and a keen sailor, Greg is involved with several professional bodies. He is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society, a Freeman in the Honourable Company of Air Pilots, a Life Member of the Qantas Founders Museum, and a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Greg has also served as a Board Member of Safeskies Australia and was a past president of the Canberra Philharmonic Society. Greg has also served as a member of the business advisory council for World Vision, and for many years, was a Champion for the St Vincent de Paul CEO Sleep-out, raising funds for Australia’s homeless. Greg is also a Director of the Air Force Association, is a judge for Canberra’s community arts 'Ovation Awards', a Crisis Supporter, Mentor and Supervisor at Lifeline, a voluntary guide at the Australian War Memorial, and the youth coordinator for the Rotary Club of Canberra Sunrise. Greg was recently appointed to the ACT Committee of the Order of Australia Association. 

Greg was made an Office of the Order of Australia (AO) in 2023 for his service to the transport industry and not-for-profit sector.

TBA | Member (User Community Representative)

Mr Jason Mundy | Member (Government Representative)

Head of Division - Climate Change Policy, Adaptation and Risk, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water

Jason Mundy is currently Head of Division for the Climate Change Policy, Adaptation and Risk Division within the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. Jason heads up a team that supports the department’s climate change agenda, including by guiding how government and communities understand and adapt to escalating climate risks.

Jason has held various executive roles across Parks Australia, including as Assistant Secretary of the Marine Parks Branch from 2016-2019 and Head of Division for Parks Australia from 2020-2024.  Key areas of responsibility included creating and managing Australia’s 58 Commonwealth Marine Parks (the world’s largest marine parks network), delivering a $600m infrastructure improvement program and managing island parks in Norfolk, Christmas and Pulu Keeling Islands and the Australian National Botanic Gardens.

Previously Jason worked in Environment Protection Division, where he first led a team to implement a national ban on certain waste exports and later acted as First Assistant Secretary for the Division.

Jason was General Manager, Strategies Branch at the Australian Antarctic Division from 2011 until 2016. Prior to that, he worked for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on overseas postings in the Philippines and Thailand, and positions in Canberra, including Director, China Political and External Section. Jason has also worked as a Senior Adviser in the Office of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and as a senior adviser in the International Division of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.

Jason holds an MA (International Relations), a Graduate Diploma (Foreign Affairs and Trade) and did his first degree, a Bachelor of Arts and Law (with First Class Honours in law), at the University of Tasmania.

Dr Elizabeth (Beth) Woods OAM FTSE | Member (Independent)

Chair - Fisheries Research and Development Corporation

Dr Beth Woods was appointed Chair of the FRDC Board from 4 June 2024. She is currently a Commissioner for International Agricultural Research with ACIAR and Chair of the Australian Institute of Marine Science Council. These roles combine her longstanding interests in the contributions of good governance and science to managing the food and environmental systems which support human livelihoods and wellbeing while protecting environmental values.

Beth retired in 2021 as Director-General of the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries where she led development initiatives to deliver an innovative, productive and sustainable agriculture, fisheries and forestry sector. Previously she was the foundation Director of the University of Queensland Rural Extension Centre, and Professor of Agribusiness at UQ from 1997-2004.

Beth has served on a wide range of boards and committees including for the Grains Research & Development Corporation, the CSIRO Board, the Gatton College Council and the Queensland Rural Adjustment Authority Board (now QRIDA). She has chaired national R&D activities including RIRDC (now AgriFutures), ACIAR, a National Drought Policy Review, and global research institutes including the International Rice Research Institute headquartered in the Philippines and WorldFish headquartered in Penang.  She was the independent Chair of the Policy Council of Cattle Council of Australia (2021-22) and served on the Queensland Government Native Vegetation Scientific Expert Panel in 2021-22.

Beth completed a B Agric Sci (Hons) at the University of Queensland and a D.Phil. in Agricultural Economics at Oxford University.  She was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Sciences by the University of Queensland in 2021 for her contribution to agriculture and related research.

Mr Keld Knudsen | Member (Industry Representative)

Queensland Director for the Australian Energy Producers

Mr Keld Knudsen is the Queensland Director for the Australian Energy Producers, the peak body for Australia's oil and gas industry. He has previously worked in the Federal Department of Resources as a Federal Government regulator of offshore petroleum and mineral titles, and as a Government Affairs advisor for Santos Limited, covering Queensland, New South Wales, and the Northern Territory.

Keld is an experienced policy, communications and government relations professional. He has extensive experience and in depth understanding of marine policy areas relating to maritime law, marine coexistence, offshore research development and offshore safety issues, and industry-led marine research.

Dr Lyndon Llewellyn | NMSC Ex officio

Deputy Chair - National Marine Science Committee

Dr Lyndon Llewellyn gained his PhD in Marine Biology from the University of Queensland, followed by additional training in analytical biochemistry (University of NSW) and molecular pharmacology (Yale University). Starting out in biotechnology research at the Australian Institute of Marine Science, his interests and roles have moved towards data science, policy and impact. Along the way, he has led multiorganisational (government, industry) projects on e-research, technology development (biosensors), biodiscovery and marine ecotoxicology (using both biomolecular tools and model organisms).

In recent years, Lyndon’s focus on has been on research management which has given him deep experience in the business of doing marine science from the field to the laboratory, and involvement in commercialisation projects has honed his IP skills.  He has a strong interest in the conversion of science into real world impact and maximizing the benefits of marine science to its many stakeholders.  This is achieved through understanding the socioeconomic value of marine industries and ecosystems and how research informs their sustainable development.  This is informed by his diverse technical experience and the stakeholder engagement history from his science leadership roles.  Lyndon is currently Chair of the Science and Technology Committee for the Integrated Marine Observing System and Deputy Chair of the National Marine Science Committee.

Dr Rob Hough | Ex-officio

Executive Director - Digital, National Facilities and Collections, CSIRO

Dr Rob Hough is the Business Unit Director for CSIRO Mineral Resources, leading an applied research capability of over 300 researchers at multiple sites across Australia.

Rob works closely with the exploration and mining industry, with SMEs, the METS Technology sector and with Government to deliver impact from science that supports a sustainable and globally competitive minerals industry for Australia.

He has over 25 years’ experience in research leadership, stakeholder engagement and the application of research and technology to the minerals industry and government.

Rob is currently a member of the CSIRO Leadership Team.

Professor Nerilie Abram | Ex officio

Chief Scientist - Australian Antarctic Division

Professor Nerilie Abram is the Chief Scientist at the Australian Antarctic Division. Her research has used Antarctic ice cores to understand how Earth's climate behaved naturally in the past, and how human-caused climate warming is now changing Antarctica and its impacts on Australia.

Nerilie has completed 5 expeditions to Antarctica, including leading the ice drilling programs for Australia’s Denman Terrestrial Campaign in 2023/24.

Prior to commencing her role as Chief Scientist, she was based at the Australian National University and was a Deputy Director of the Australian Centre for Excellence in Antarctic Science. Nerilie was a coordinating lead author for the 2019 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report into the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate, and is also serving as a coordinating lead author for the IPCC 7th Assessment Report.

In 2024, Nerilie was elected as a fellow of the Australian Academy of Science.

Professor Alex Brown | CSIRO Board Observer

Professor Alex Brown is an internationally recognised clinician and researcher who has worked in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health for his entire career. Alex is the Professor of Indigenous Genomics at the Telethon Kids Institute and the Australian National University. A proud member of the Yuin nation, he is the first Indigenous scientist appointed to the CSIRO Board, bringing a wealth of experience understanding and overcoming health inequalities and bridging connections across science ecosystems.

The appointment of Professor Alex Brown will help address skills gaps identified by the Board, facilitate greater collaboration between research agencies and universities, and ensure CSIRO’s future direction benefits from being more inclusive.

Ms Toni Moate | MNF Director

Ms Toni Moate is CSIRO's Director, National Collections and Marine Infrastructure, which includes the Marine National Facility, Engineering and Technology Program, Atlas of Living Australia, and National Research Collections Australia.

As the Director, National Collections and Marine Infrastructure, Toni is responsible for ensuring CSIRO's national collections and marine infrastructure are effectively positioned, managed and utilised for long term financial sustainability and support science delivery in the national interest.

In 2015, Toni was awarded the Public Service Medal for outstanding public service in Australian marine and atmospheric science, as part of the Queen's Birthday Honours List. This was followed in 2017 when Toni was awarded the Tasmanian Telstra Business Woman of the Year.

Toni is a CPA and is currently a Board Director for Australian Research Data Commons and Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee, an ex-officio Board Member for the Atlas of Living Australia and a member of the National Marine Science Committee.