Susan Lenehan

Susan Lenehan

Susan Mary Lenehan (born 2 November 1943) is a former Australian politician. Lenehan paved the way for women in politics by successfully balancing a prolific political career and three young children. She was an Australian Labor Party member of the South Australian House of Assembly between 1982 and 1993, representing the electorate of Mawson. In 1993 she contested the seat of Reynell, losing to the Liberal party's Julie Greig.

Was on the South Australian Industry Development Committee from January 1982 – October 1988 as both a Member of South Australian Industry Development Committee and subsequently appointed as Chair.

Lenehan held portfolios including Minister for Education, Minister for Planning and Environment. In 2008 she was one of the participants in the Population, sustainability, climate change and water section of the Australia 2020 Summit.

Minister for Environment and Planning, Lands and Water Resources, and Community Welfare Government of South Australia 1988 – 1992 South Australia, Australia The portfolio included marine, riverine and underground water, the Murray River, the National Parks System, Built Heritage, Animal Welfare, Aboriginal Heritage, all areas of the Environment, Waste Management and all State Planning areas.

Lenehan introduced innovative technologies and practices including sustainable water and energy technologies, decontamination processes, recycling and new approaches to planning and developing multi-purpose sites. Further initiated a new executive management structure in the South Australian Public Service, to integrate this large, complex and politically sensitive portfolio. The result was visible co-operation and integration of the Departments, with higher quality client services and greater efficiency.

As the Minister representing South Australia on the Murray Darling Ministerial Council, Lenehan introduced significant programs including the establishment of an environmental policy and a basin-wide strategy for researching and managing the problem of toxic blue-green algae.

Also introduced and implemented the Pastoral Land Management and Conservation Act, covering 50% of South Australia’s land mass which addressed ecologically sustainable use of pastoral lands and with the involvement and agreement of the mining industry in South Australia, introduced legislative programs which preserved designated areas of wilderness and prevented any further clearance of native vegetation.

Minister for Education, Employment and Training including Ministerial responsibility for Children’s Services for the Government of South Australia 1992 – 1993 South Australia, Australia The combined portfolio had an annual budget of $1.4 billion and a workforce of 30,000 employees.

Lenehan initiated and managed the amalgamation of three separate departments into the Department of Education, Employment and Training. This resulted in substantial savings to the State budget, significant reductions in staff levels, rationalization of corporate functions, and multi-use of educational sites.

Also formalised and extended agreements, at Ministerial and senior executive level with Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia to jointly provide education and training programs and courses in Australia and South-East Asia.

Since leaving politics Lenehan has gone on to achieve:

Independent Consultancy outcomes: Four major reports on sustainable development issues within the Waste Management and Service Industry and one involving Government relations. These were prepared for Veolia Water (formerly Collex Pty Ltd), which is part of a global group operating waste management, water and energy facilities. Delivering a series of programs on governance and strategy for the Australian Institute of Company Directors and the CEO Institute, on the “Responsibilities and Risks for Directors and Senior Executives”. Facilitating and presenting seminars for SageCo, a workforce consultancy providing solutions for an ageing workforce, in both the private and public sectors.

Chief Executive Officer Australian Federation of Travel Agents 1996 – 1997 of a national 2600-member organisation was responsible for membership services and advocacy on behalf of the Industry, the management of 60 staff located Australia-wide, and the development of training programs delivered by AFTA colleges and other educational institutions.

Board member Cancer Council Australia 2000 – 2006 New South Wales, Australia and chair of the Audit and Risk Committee.

Independent Chair and Member NSW Govt Prequalification Scheme for Audit and Risk Committees of Government Departments and S.O.C’s.

Independent member to the Audit and Risk Committee - Ageing, Disability and Home Care Department of Human Services NSW - Juvenile Justice 2010 – 2010 with a budget of $2.35B having financial, analytical and risk management skills and an understanding of the political imperatives of ensuring open communication with the public and media are part of this role.

Mentor with McCarthy Mentoring 2000 – Present.

Syndicate Chairman, The CEO Institute January 2000 – Present for three syndicates. The CEO Institute provides a forum for management development for CEOs and Senior Executives from a wide range of industries. Companies must have an annual turnover in excess of $10m. Members meet for a half a day per month in groups of up to 18, in a confidential environment. This position requires experience and knowledge of contemporary business practices and trends, legal requirements for compliance, and effective and inclusive communication and motivational skills.

Chair of Board Principals Australia Institute 2011 – Present Lenehan was appointed as Chair of the Board of Principals Australia Institute which provides professional development and leadership training for Australian Principals from all school education sectors.