Stuart Smith was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA) in September 2014; Australia’s independent regulator of offshore safety, well integrity and environmental management of offshore oil and gas facilities around Australia.
His appointment followed six years as Director General of the Department of Fisheries (DoF) in Western Australia where he managed the sustainable use of aquatic resources in West Australian and adjacent Commonwealth waters. These responsibilities included developing and regulating commercial fishing, aquaculture, recreational fishing, aquatic biosecurity and selected aquatic safety and marine park compliance functions.
Stuart also worked as a Deputy Director General and Acting Director General with the Department of Industry and Resources (DoIR) in Western Australia. As Deputy Director General for State Development he was responsible for facilitating major mining and oil and gas projects, attracting investment, and promoting trade and economic expansion opportunities in WA. As Deputy Director General for Resources he was responsible for promoting resources exploration in the state, regulating mining activity, managing resources sector royalties and regulating oil and gas activity including onshore and offshore safety and environmental management.
Prior to joining DoIR in 2003, Stuart spent 14 years with the Australian Public Service in Canberra, Melbourne and Perth. During this period he held various industry development and regulatory roles including positions with the Industry portfolio and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, together with a secondment to Parliament House as an Inquiry Secretary and advisor.
Stuart holds a bachelor of economics degree from the University of Western Australia and a Graduate Diploma in Economics from the Australian National University.