Darrin Barnett
Founding Partner
Senior Advisor Government and Media
Darrin is a former Press Secretary to the Prime Minister and Canberra Press Gallery Journalist who has been working on the frontline of media, state and federal politics for more than 20 years.
Darrin started out with the ABC and then AAP, with lengthy stints in Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra before crossing over to become a press secretary and chief of staff for Labor ministers at state and federal level.
He served as Press Secretary to Prime Minister Julia Gillard and was Senior Canberra Press Secretary for the 2013 and 2016 Federal Election campaigns for the ALP.
Darrin was also the campaign director, media spokesperson and principal adviser to Wentworth Independent MP Dr Kerryn Phelps and his consultancy ran the successful campaign to elect Independent Zali Steggall MP in Warringah.
He has extensive experience across a wide range of portfolio areas including health, housing, community services and industrial relations, with additional journalistic experience covering financial markets and publicly listed companies.
Darrin has a broad network of contacts in both media and politics at a domestic and international level and a demonstrated capacity to work on complex issues to tight timeframes.
He is an experienced lobbyist to both government and opposition parties, focusing on the crossbench in both houses of the Australian Parliament as well as the ALP.
Darrin also has extensive experience as a media spokesperson on both the ABC and Sky News, in addition to opinion pieces published in News Corp, Nine/Fairfax newspapers, ABC online and the Daily Mail.
Contact: darrin@watsonadvisory.com.au or connect linkedin.com/in/darrin-barnett-944834153/
Leigh Heaney
Partner
Government Relations and Public Affairs
Leigh Heaney is a public affairs and government relations specialist who brings extensive experience in government and political processes to Watson Advisory.
Leigh spent more than a decade working as chief of staff to a senior Government frontbencher in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, covering portfolios such as Pacific Island Affairs, Multicultural Affairs, Infrastructure and Transport, Treasury, Financial Services, the Republic, Foreign Affairs, and Immigration.
Leigh joined Watson Advisory from a role as Government Relations director at Australia’s Renewable Energy peak body, where he provided advice on evolving issues and trends related to the renewables industry at a national level. He was intricately involved in delivering the Capacity Investment Scheme and the production Tax credit regime as part of the Future Made in Australia package. Leigh worked closely with renewable energy project developers, manufacturers, and consumer energy firms to deliver strong, targeted results for the industry.
Leigh also has direct public sector commercial experience with Transport for New South Wales, where he managed a large program of road asset transfer projects.
Leigh has over 2 decades of direct experience running on the ground federal and state election campaigns offering a unique understanding of the drivers relating to political environments especially with regards to messaging, marketing, and policy development and success. He brings a strong understanding of government and parliamentary processes and procedures, as well as a solid policy background and skills in negotiation and communication.
Contact: leigh@watsonadvisory.com.au or connect LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lheaney/
Connor Woulfe
Head of Energy
Connor began working in Smart Energy in 2019, and has been practicing as an expert adviser across electricity, climate and industry policy. On behalf of industry members of the Smart Energy Council, Connor led key transformational policies for Government adoption, and plays a crucial role at the intersection between industry needs and Government. Previously to the Smart Energy Council Connor worked at Stride Renewables, assisting in project development of the award winning solar and BESS project at Blind Creek Solar Farm, a national leader in community and social license.
Connor has provided expert advice at the Smart Energy Council across 20+ legislative and regulatory processes and hearings across state and Federal Government.
At the Smart Energy Council, Connor operated the Distributed Energy Resources Working Group, and the Large-Scale Renewables Working Group on behalf of the Smart Energy Council , a policy portfolio encompassing over 500 clean energy companies across Australia. This representation covered members from Sun Cable to smart energy management companies.
In Public Engagement Connor appears regularly on energy panels, chairing roles and co-authored the ‘Unleashing Renewable Energy Storage Report’, subsequently adapted as the Federal Capacity Investment Scheme – a $10bn Investment in Renewable Energy Storage.
Connor’s skills lie in creating bespoke strategies for companies in their interface with government regulation, policies and aligning interests within the political landscape.
Connor is extremely well connected across the energy industry, and before leaving the Smart Energy Council created and led a Long Duration Energy Storage Advocacy Campaign in conjunction with Australian Energy Institutions.
Key Skills
- Energy investment challenges and opportunities
- Government policy interface
- Social license
- Evolution of Australian Energy policy and regulation
- Government processes and pathways
- Strategic communications and Advocacy
- Electrification policy and solutions
- Climate and Nature policy
Energy Sector Representations
In Green Hydrogen, Connor represented the A.C.T as the Canberra Hydrogen Cluster lead, as part of NERA’s H2TCA program. Connor represented OEMS and the electrification industry, as an adviser to Solar Victoria ICRG. Long Duration Energy Storage Campaign and Advocacy at the Smart Energy Council
Contact: conner@watsonadvisory.com.au
Research
Our research team at Watson Advisory is dedicated to providing expert advice and innovative solutions across various sectors. With extensive experience in energy investment challenges, government policy interface, social licence, and the evolution of Australian energy policy and regulation, our team is well-equipped to navigate the complexities of government processes and pathways. We excel in strategic communications and advocacy, electrification policy and solutions, as well as climate and nature policy. Our team members have a proven track record in creating bespoke strategies for companies, ensuring alignment with government regulations and policies. Their expertise and connections within the energy industry make them invaluable assets in driving forward impactful research and advocacy initiatives.
Legal
Our legal team at Watson Advisory is composed of highly skilled professionals who specialise in navigating the complexities of the government space. With extensive experience in various legal fields, our team is adept at providing strategic advice and solutions tailored to our clients’ needs. We focus on ensuring compliance with all relevant laws and regulations, while also advocating for our clients’ interests in both federal and state government arenas. Our legal experts are committed to delivering exceptional service and support, helping our clients achieve their goals with confidence and precision.
Media
Our media team at Watson Advisory is led by Darrin Barnett, a former Press Secretary to the Prime Minister and Canberra Press Gallery Journalist with over 20 years of experience in media, state, and federal politics. Our broader internal and external media team is committed to providing strategic media advice and solutions, ensuring that our clients’ messages are effectively communicated and their interests are well-represented.
Admin
Our admin team at Watson Advisory is the backbone of our operations, providing essential support. They handle a wide range of tasks, from managing schedules and coordinating meetings to maintaining records and facilitating communication between team members. Their dedication and efficiency allow the rest of us to focus on our core responsibilities, knowing that the administrative aspects are well taken care of. With their unwavering support, we can deliver exceptional service to our clients and achieve our goals with confidence.
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