Principal Staff

Kate Charters

Principal, Organisational Management and Executive Services

Kate Charters is the Director of Management Solutions (Qld) Pty Ltd, a professional development and training company with particular interest in regional and rural issues at public policy and service delivery levels. Kate has worked at senior levels in government in policy and management and conducted a number of organisational and service reviews across a range of agencies including community groups, peak bodies, government and tertiary institutions. Kate’s interests are particularly in maintaining program and service integrity in the transition from policy to implementation and creating environments which optimize organisations’ abilities to be creative and motivated to set and achieve their goals.

Kate was the former Chair of the National Steering Committee for the Sustainable Economic Growth for Regional Australia (SEGRA) conference.

Regional Development and Public Policy Expertise

Since 1997 I have been the Director of Management Solutions (Qld) Pty Ltd (MSQ) a professional development, training and Consultancy Company with the objective of improving public sector capacity in all aspects of policy development and implementation with a particular focus on regional Development.

In 1996, I co-founded the Sustainable Economic Growth for Regional Australia (SEGRA) Conference (http://2017.segra.com.au/updates/2016-09-09-the-segra-story).

My expertise in regional development and public policy is evidenced by opportunities to deliver presentations at national events with high standing delegates, these include:

1. Addressed Senior Federal Public Servants across multiple departments regarding key issues affecting regional Australia as a respondent to a presentation by head of OECD Regional Development Policy Division, Dr. Joaquim Olivera Martins. 2017 Speaking up for Regional Australia
2. opening address at the Heart 2020 Highfields briefing session that included the elected representatives for each of the Federal, State and local electorates associated with the region. (2017)
3. Keynote Speaker at the Etheridge Shire Council Regional Economic Development Forum. Senator Matt Canavan opened the forum (2016)
4. opening address on Regional Australia and Public Policy at the RDA South West and Darling Downs 2016
5. speaker at the RDA National Forum Canberra (2015)
6. Keynote speaker at the Regional Economic Development Forum (WA) on advocacy in regional Australia (2014)
7. address the national EIDOS conference as a speaker on Dynamic Capabilities in Regional Australia (2011)
8. address the national EIDOS conference (2012) on the outcomes of the National Regional Summit which I chaired in 2009

Directorships

1. Director Management Solutions (Qld) Pty Ltd (1997–present)
2. Chair, Director SEGRA Foundation (2015–2022)
3. Director (Policy) Collaborative Investment Management Australia (2015–present)

Tony Charters AM

Principal, Consulting

Tony Charters has over 25 years’ experience in nature-based recreation and sustainable tourism planning, development and management across the public, private and non government sectors. Over the past 15 years, he has contributed significantly to the development of more sustainable practices and professionalism within the tourism industry, both nationally and internationally. Tony has a history of innovation and success conceiving and contributing to leading edge projects that have pushed the boundaries of protected area management and sustainable recreation and tourism. These include:

• developing benchmark ecotourism initiatives;
• providing leadership in industry development;
• driving strategic and destination planning for sustainable tourism and;
• initiating stakeholder engagement and partnership development

Tony also undertakes industry conferences driven by policy agendas and relevant current industry issues. He initiated the Sustainable Economic Growth for Regional Australia national conference, now in its twelfth year, and continues to successfully convene the Tourism Futures Conference, now in its eight year. He has also convened many national and international conferences for Ecotourism Australia and is currently the convenor of the organisation’s Global Eco Asia-Pacific Tourism Conference. Tony serves on the Board of Ecotourism Australia and of The International Ecotourism Society.

Tony is the Principal of Tony Charters and Associates which retains specialists in tourism research; planning and development; nature and ecotourism; sustainability; climate change and certification. We assist leading tourism operators; protected area managers, tourism commissions and industry bodies with: destination development and marketing; strategic planning; sustainability; bridging the public and private sectors; eco-lodge design; climate change response; media commentary and advocacy.

Tony was awarded an AM - Order of Australia in 2014. He was recognised as a Member of the Order of Australia (General Division) for significant service to the ecotourism industry, particularly to nature-based recreation and to environmental education and visitor programs.

Dr. Elizabeth Saxon

Director, Consulting Division (Tony Charters & Associates)

Elizabeth Saxon holds a doctorate in sustainability assessment in tourism and has 8 years experience in sustainable tourism projects.

She has worked:

• with ecotourism operators to develop sustainability assessment indicators and frameworks;
• in the tertiary education sector developing and delivering undergraduate and masters level courses in environmental management and ecotourism;
• at senior levels in environmental management in local government and;
• in sustainable tourism planning and policy at the state government level

Elizabeth is currently Director of the Consulting Division at Tony Charters and Associates where she plays a key role in proposal development, project management and team coordination.

As Principal Tourism Analyst (Projects) she also provides specific expertise and input where required into:

• sustainable tourism planning and policy;
• environmental planning and policy;
• developing triple bottom line reporting frameworks and sustainability indicators for tourism;
• resource and environmental economics;
• stakeholder engagement, advocacy and partnership development;
• social research and impact assessment;
• facilitation and mediation and;
• environmental education, training and interpretation

Belinda Ha

Events Coordinator (Management Solutions (Qld) and Tony Charters & Associates)

Belinda Ha is the Events Coordinator at Tony Charters & Associates. Belinda is a Bachelor of Journalism graduate from the University of Queensland. Previously a member of the events team with The Queensland Media Club, she has successfully supported the planning and coordination of events ranging in size from 200 to 850 guests including the Queensland Election 2012 Leaders’ Great Debate.

As Events Coordinator for the National Public Sector Fleet Managers’ Conference and formerly SEGRA (Sustainable Economic Growth for Regional Australia) Conference and Global Eco Asia-Pacific Conference, Belinda has developed a reputation for her customer focus as well as attention to detail in all aspects of event management.