 Speaker Biographies
Senator the Hon Don Farrell
Minister for Trade and Tourism, Special Minister of State and Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate
Don Farrell was born in Murray Bridge, South Australia, and is a fourth generation South Australian.
While studying law at the University of Adelaide, he worked as a shop assistant and later joined the South Australian Shop Distributive and Allied Employees' Association, beginning a 32-year career working for the rights of retail and fast-food workers. Don led the union at the state and national level, overseeing the introduction of the 38-hour week and universal superannuation for retail workers.
He was elected to the Senate in 2008, and served as Minister for Science and Research, Minister for Sport, Minister Assisting on Tourism, and Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and Urban Water during his six-year term in the Rudd and Gillard governments.
Following his first term in the Senate, Don spent time tending his small vineyard in South Australia's Clare Valley wine region and knows firsthand the daily challenges faced by local growers and primary producers.
He again nominated for the Senate and was re-elected in 2016, serving as the Shadow Special Minister of State, Shadow Minister for Sport and Tourism, Shadow Minister Assisting the Leader of the Opposition and Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate.
Following the election of the Albanese Government in 2022, Senator Farrell was appointed Minister for Trade and Tourism, Special Minister of State and Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate.
Justin McGowan, Chief Executive Officer, Trade & Investment Queensland
With significant international trade experience, Justin was appointed to the leadership role to drive Queensland’s investment and export future.
Justin McGowan has held Senior Executive roles within the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and is an accomplished diplomat. Most recently, he led the Capability Taskforce driving Australia’s Foreign and Trade capabilities to meet future challenges and deliver economic potential.
He was previously Australia’s Commissioner General to the World Expo in Dubai for four years (2017 to 2021), facilitating engagement opportunities for government representatives, business councils, investors and entrepreneurs across most markets and sectors.
In previous roles, Justin has held senior leadership positions a range of private sector companies, has delivered on major global programs with the Department of Defence and served in the Royal Australian Navy on numerous operational deployments, including enforcing United Nations sanctions in the Middle East.
He has been awarded the Australian Active Service Medal, Australian Service Medal (Solomon Islands), Operational Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Australian Defence Medal and the Maritime Commander Australia Commendation.
Mr McGowan holds a Master of Management and Graduate Certificate in Management from the Australian National University and has studied at Melbourne and Harvard Kennedy Business Schools and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD).
Gayle O'Brien, Acting Deputy Director General Tourism, Department of Tourism, Innovation and Sport
Gayle leads the department’s Tourism Division, including delivery of Towards Tourism 2032, Queensland’s tourism industry strategy, an enduring framework to guide the industry and government partnership to deliver long-term growth and success for Queensland tourism.
In this role, Gayle acts as the champion for industry, working closely with industry leaders, Tourism and Events Queensland, Stadiums Queensland, and other government agencies to bring the tourism industry strategy to life and deliver outcomes over the next ten years.
Gayle is an experienced professional who has held executive roles in international business, marketing, government and stakeholder relations. Her experience includes senior roles in metropolitan and regional Queensland, as well as in Asia.
Prior to her current role, Gayle led the development and implementation of Queensland Government strategies and programs focused on tourism, major events, small business, migration, international education, export and investment attraction.
From 2020 to 2022, she led the government’s COVID-19 tourism recovery efforts including delivery of over $150 million in tourism industry support packages and developed initiatives to help future-proof the industry.
Karl Morris A0, Chief Executive and Managing Director, Ord Minnett
Karl Morris is the Chief Executive and Managing Director of Ord Minnett Ltd, with a career spanning over 30 years in financial services and wealth management. He is a Commerce graduate of Griffith University and holds diplomas from the Stockbrokers and Financial Advisers Association of Australia, FINSIA and the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He was awarded an officer of the Order of Australia (AO) on Australia Day 2019, for distinguished service to the financial and stockbroking sectors, and to the community through a range of organisations.
Karl is Chairman of the Brisbane Broncos Ltd, Chair of Bravehearts Foundation Fund, Chair of the Mary MacKillop Brisbane Catholic School Access Fund and Chair of the American Chamber of Commerce in Australia (AmCham) Council of Governors in Queensland. His other Board memberships include Australian Catholic University, J.P. Morgan Australia Advisory Council and National Vice Patron of Bravehearts. He is a Master Member (and former Chair 2012-2018) of the Stockbrokers and Financial Advisers Association of Australia, and former Chairman of QSuper (2013-2019). He also sits on the Investment Committees of the Catholic Archdioceses of Brisbane and Sydney.
Oriel Morrison, Journalist/Presenter/Startup Founder
Oriel Morrison is one of Asia’s most well-known business journalists, and is the co-founder & CSO of APAC Network. Oriel hosts global conferences and events, and often speaks on topics including geopolitics, finance, markets and news.
For the past 12 years, she has anchored top rating global finance shows CNBC’s Squawk Box and CNBC’s Street Signs. Some of Oriel’s favorite interviewees include Bill Clinton, Former President of the United States; Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank; Bob Iger, CEO Disney; Malcolm Turnbull, Former Australian Prime Minister; Chip Goodyear, Former BHP CEO; Ian Narev, Former CBA CEO and Shayne Elliott, ANZ CEO.
Oriel has over two decades of business and financial news reporting experience. She joined CNBC from Bloomberg, where she was a reporter and host for Bloomberg Television and Bloomberg Radio. Prior to that, she was with the Nine Network, as a presenter on the Today Show and Business Sunday, and has also been a regular presenter for Sky Business News and various Channel 7 news programs.
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