Executive leadership

Irene Violet
Deputy Director-General, Corporate Services

BHealthSc (Rehab Couns), BA (Psych), MBA, GAICD

Irene has been the Deputy Director-General, Corporate Services since May 2022.

Irene has more than 20 years’ experience working in state and federal governments, largely focused on service transformation and delivery. She has a keen interest in ensuring programs are people-centric and that digital technologies are leveraged to enhance customer and employee experience.

Irene has led policy and programs in communities, digital economy, employment, small business and training. She has also led Queensland Shared Services, modernising and optimising the shared services used by agencies and departments. Irene has also held previous senior executive roles, with responsibilities for corporate services, customer services and specialist advisory teams, and has been a member of the Workplace Health and Safety Board of Queensland.

Andrew Bennett
Deputy Director-General, Queensland Government Procurement

BA (CompSc), MBA

Andrew was appointed Deputy Director-General, Procurement division in July 2024.

Andrew brings 26 years’ experience as a public sector leader, always with a focus on developing strong and productive relationships with stakeholders, peers, partners and staff across divisions and agencies. Throughout his time with the Queensland Public Service, Andrew has actively sought roles in organisations that help government give back to the community and make Queensland a stronger state and better for Queenslanders.

Prior to joining the Department of Energy and Climate, Andrew held the post of Executive Director Procurement and Facilities, and Chief Procurement Officer for the Queensland Department of Education with responsibility for purchasing and procurement as well as corporate fleet, facilities and office accommodation, and the utilities/sustainability team.

Andrew is an active participant and advocate for procurement reform and has a passion for ensuring that the profession is recognised as a critical enabler of service delivery and positive outcomes for clients.

Tara Gardiner
Acting Deputy Director-General, Energy

BBus(Ec)

Tara Gardiner is the Acting Deputy Director-General of the Energy division.

Tara’s experience spans almost 2 decades across the Australian and Queensland Governments and the private sector. Tara is passionate about delivering public value and has worked across economic and social policy — from emissions trading design to visa reform, developing Queensland’s COVID Economic Response, and now the transformation of Queensland’s energy system.

Prior to her role as Acting Deputy Director-General, Energy, Tara led a diverse team responsible for electricity generation and storage policy, as well as shareholder representation and oversight of Queensland’s 5 government-owned energy businesses. She also led work across several key initiatives, strengthening local supply chains, energy emergency response, along with sponsoring the development of 2 new large-scale pumped hydro projects.

Alana Barlow
Deputy Director-General, Hydrogen and Future Fuels

LLB

Alana Barlow is an experienced business development executive in the hydrogen sector.

Prior to joining the Department of Energy and Climate as the Deputy Director-General of the Hydrogen and Future Fuels division, Alana managed the National Hydrogen Department for a Japanese trading house with interests in energy, mineral resources, infrastructure and chemicals. Alana is also an experienced company director for private and industry organisations, including the Australian Hydrogen Council.

Alana’s work in the hydrogen industry has focused on domestic decarbonisation in hard-to- abate sectors, and hydrogen derivatives for export markets. Some of the initiatives led by Alana include regional preliminary master planning for enabling hydrogen ecosystem infrastructure, developing green shipping corridors for Australia and New Zealand, as well as leading a hydrogen production and utilisation project to final investment decision and delivery.

Prior to joining the hydrogen industry, Alana worked as an Australian commercial lawyer and company secretarial professional in a variety of sectors including power generation and infrastructure, mineral resources, and diverse international trade, in addition to generalised mergers and acquisitions for cross-border transactions. Alana holds a Bachelor of Laws, and is admitted to the NSW Supreme Court Roll of Lawyers.

Carlye Sycz
Deputy Director-General, Climate

BA(PolSci), GradCertGov&PubPolicy

Carlye Sycz is a highly experienced senior executive with a track record of success in key policy and reform roles.

Carlye has over 15 years’ experience in the Queensland Government, focusing on strategic policy development, coordination and community and stakeholder engagement. Carlye’s policy background spans economic and social portfolios, where she has delivered policy change and program implementation across the resources and energy sectors, as well as in emergency management and First Nations community development.

Prior to joining the Department of Energy and Climate, Carlye led the development of the Queensland Resources Industry Development Plan and the Queensland Critical Minerals Strategy. These key sector transformation plans highlight how Government will partner with industry to drive sustainable economic growth while creating the clean economy jobs of the future.