Part 2: Agency Overview
This Page:
- About ARPANSA
- Role and functions
- Location and organisational structure
- Senior executive
- Outcome and program structure
ABOUT ARPANSA
Role and functions
ARPANSA is the Australian Government’s primary authority on radiation protection and nuclear safety. ARPANSA regulates Commonwealth entities using radiation with the objective of protecting people and the environment from the harmful effects of radiation. ARPANSA also undertakes research, provides services, and promotes national uniformity and the implementation of international best practice across all jurisdictions. Figure 2 describes our mission and vision. ARPANSA is a portfolio agency of the Department of Health, and is prescribed as a non-corporate Commonwealth entity under the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013.
Figure 2: Our mission and vision
(click for larger view)
The CEO of ARPANSA is responsible for applying and implementing the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Act 1998 (ARPANS Act).
Our regulatory role is implemented through the ARPANS Act and our regulatory and advisory frameworks are based on monitoring of levels of radiation in the environment and scientific evidence regarding the effects of radiation on human and environmental health and wellbeing.
Location and organisational structure
With approximately 130 employees we operate out of three offices, located in Yallambie (VIC); Miranda (NSW); and Barton (ACT). Figure 3 shows ARPANSA’s organisational structure as at 30 June 2015.
Figure 3: Organisational chart (
)
Senior executive
Carl-Magnus Larsson,
CEO of ARPANSA
Carl-Magnus Larsson commenced as Chief Executive Officer of ARPANSA in March 2010 with a background in chemistry and biology and a PhD in Botany from Stockholm University, Sweden. Prior to his appointment to ARPANSA, Carl-Magnus worked at the Swedish Radiation Protection Authority (from 2008 the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority after a merger with the Swedish Nuclear Power Inspectorate) focusing on environmental aspects of nuclear power. He subsequently became Branch Head and Deputy Director-General with responsibilities for, among other things, radiation protection, waste management, radioactive materials and emergency preparedness and response. Between 2000 and 2007, Carl-Magnus coordinated the multinational European Commission-supported research projects FASSET and ERICA (both on environmental assessment and protection). Carl-Magnus is a member of the Main Commission of the International Commission on Radiological Protection and is the ex-Chair of the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) having finished his term in June 2015. He is a member of the IAEA Commission on Safety Standards.
Peter Johnston
Deputy Chief Executive Officer
Chief Medical Radiation Scientist
Medical Radiation Services Branch
Peter Johnston has been ARPANSA’s Chief Medical Scientist and Head of the Medical Radiation Services Branch since its creation in May 2011. Prior to that Peter was Branch Head of ARPANSA’s Environmental and Radiation Health Branch since 2009. Peter worked at Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) for 20 years commencing as a Lecturer, progressing to become Professor of Applied Nuclear Physics in 2001 and Head of Physics in 2003; he remains an Adjunct Professor at RMIT. During this period, Peter had several ministerial and government appointments and was a member of the Uranium Mining, Processing and Nuclear Energy Review in 2006. Peter first joined the Australian Radiation Laboratory at Yallambie (now ARPANSA) in 1979 and worked in Radioactivity Standards, Environmental Radioactivity and Health Physics for ten years. Peter has extensive experience in providing advice on environmental radiation matters including the contamination and rehabilitation of Maralinga, radiation protection issues in uranium mining as well as in the medical use of radiation.
At the start of June 2015, Peter accepted the position of Director, Division of Radiation, Transport and Waste Safety within the Department of Nuclear Safety and Security at the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna, Austria. Peter will leave ARPANSA in August 2015 to take up this new role.
Stephen Solomon
Chief Radiation Health Scientist
Radiation Health Services Branch
Stephen Solomon has been ARPANSA’s Chief Radiation Health Scientist and Head of Radiation Health Services Branch since its creation in May 2011. Prior to his appointment, Stephen was Manager Health Physics Section, Environmental and Radiation Health Branch, ARPANSA. Stephen has a PhD in Nuclear Physics and has over thirty-five years’ experience in health physics and radiation protection. He is responsible for leading ARPANSA program on radiation protection of public, workers and the environment.
He leads and coordinates ARPANSA activities as a World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Radiation Protection and is a member of WHO Radiation Emergency Medical Preparedness and Assistance Network. Stephen was the Leader of the Expert Group for the assessment of doses and risk to humans and biota and a member of the Coordination Expert Group for the UNSCEAR Assessment of Levels and Effects of Radiation Exposure due to the Nuclear Accident after the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami.
Jack Dillich
Chief Inspector
Regulatory Services Branch
Jack Dillich has been ARPANSA’s Chief Inspector and Head of Regulatory Services Branch since October 2014. Regulatory Services Branch provides independent regulation of Commonwealth users of radiation. Jack has over three decades’ experience involving the application of nuclear technologies that include power plant operations, research reactors and propulsion. In his most recent role before joining ARPANSA, he provided oversight for the safe operation of nuclear activities with an overseas operator of nuclear plants. Jack earned advanced degrees in nuclear engineering, held a licence as a senior reactor operator at a nuclear power plant, and is certified as a Professional Engineer.
George Savvides
Head of Corporate Office
Chief Financial Officer
George Savvides has been ARPANSA’s Head of Corporate Office since its creation in May 2011 and is also ARPANSA’s Chief Financial Officer. Prior to his current appointment, George had many years’ experience in senior finance roles in both the private and not-for-profit sectors, including Oakton Limited, Melbourne Football Club, Melbourne Health, Powercor Telecommunications and Ansett Australia. George is a Certified Practicing Accountant with an MBA from the Australian Graduate School of Management.
Brenna Lindsay
Chief of Staff
Head of Office of the CEO
Brenna Lindsay has been ARPANSA’s Chief of Staff and Head of the Office of the CEO since September 2012. Brenna joined the Agency in February 2012 as the Director, Parliamentary and Government Relations.
Brenna came to ARPANSA having served in a number of senior roles in the Australian Government primarily in government relations, governance, and communications. With over ten years in the Australian Public Service, Brenna has held key roles in the Australian Taxation Office, Australian Federal Police, ACT Policing, and the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, covering a variety of coordination and advice functions including international policy, capacity building, ministerial services, strategic planning, media and marketing management, and government relations.
Brenna holds a Master of Arts (International Relations) from Deakin University and a Bachelor of Communications (Journalism and Cultural Studies) from Griffith University.
Brenna departed ARPANSA at the end of June 2015.
Martin Reynolds
General Counsel
Legal Office
Martin Reynolds is ARPANSA’s General Counsel and Head of the Legal Office since August 2011. Prior to his current appointment, Martin was Corporate Governance Officer at ARPANSA since 2008. Martin has had many years’ experience in both legal and senior management roles in government statutory authorities. Martin was trained as a lawyer at Monash University and also holds a Bachelor of Business (Management) from the same university.
Michael Perry
External Member
Strategic Management Committee
Michael Perry is the Independent Chair of ARPANSA’s Audit and Risk Committee. He is a retired Chartered Accountant, formerly a partner with Ernst & Young and Arthur Andersen.
Michael has extensive experience in financial consulting services, with specialist skills in auditing, government services, public company floats and takeovers, the valuation of companies, corporate financing, risk management and internal audit structures.
He is currently the Chair of the Victorian Government’s Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources Audit and Risk Committee, on the Board and Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee of the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority and on the Board of M&L Hospitality Trust and the Copland Foundation.
Megan Morris
External Member
Strategic Management Committee
Megan Morris has been the external member of ARPANSA’s Strategic Management Committee since August 2013. Megan brings significant experience in government, governance and management to the Committee.
At the time that Megan joined the Committee she was Head of the Office of Health Protection in the Department of Health. This role entailed the assessment, articulation and management of health risks, health emergency planning and regulation of a range of sensitive substances. Megan has continued on the Committee post her retirement in July 2014.
Outcome and program structure
Our activities are focused into a Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Program. This program is made up of four key strategies, and supported by whole-of-agency stakeholder engagement and enabling support strategies, to deliver our radiation protection and nuclear safety outcome for the Australian Government and to the community.
The outcomes of ARPANSA’s activities and services are measured by Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). The 2014-15 scorecard provides a snapshot view of our performance for the year. Full explanations on all measures, analysed against previous years and set targets can be found in Part 3: Report on Performance.
The tables below provide a summary of the delivery of our 2014-15 Strategic Initiatives.
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Outcome |
Protection of people and the environment through radiation protection and nuclear safety research, policy, advice, codes, standards, service and regulation |
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Program |
Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety |
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Key Strategies |
Protect the public, workers, and the environment from radiation exposure |
Promote radiological and nuclear safety and security, and emergency preparedness |
Promote the safe and effective use of ionising radiation in medicine |
Ensure effective and proportionate regulation and enforcement activities |
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1.1.1 Protection of the public and environment |
1.2.1 Security |
1.3.1 Radiation protection of the patient |
1.4.1 Licensing |
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Enabling and Support Strategies
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Stakeholder Engagement |
Enabling Services and Support |
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Government and external relations |
Governance and stewardship |
People |
Infrastructure and technology |
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