Geoscience Australia is set to get a new CEO in February, with Melissa Harris appointed to head the country’s key government geoscience organisation.
Harris is replacing Dr James Johnson, who announced his retirement in September 2024 and has been with Geoscience Australia since 2006, serving eight years as CEO.
Harris previously spent six years as a senior executive with Land Use Victoria before being appointed in 2020 to the position of Chief Executive and Registrar of Titles.
She received a Public Service Medal in 2023 for outstanding public service and transformation of geospatial, planning and land administration in Victoria.
Acting Minister for Resources Amanda Rishworth says Harris has over 30 years’ experience leading change and innovation in land administration and planning.
“In her new role, Ms Harris will oversee the Government’s record $3.4 billion investment through Resourcing Australia’s Prosperity, which will help find those economy-making discoveries that will support future generations of Australians,” Rishworth says.
“Importantly, she will also drive Australia’s engagement with the United States-led Landsat Next satellite program, building on more than 50 years of collaboration with the United States on Earth observation and data.”
The Landsat Next program will map and observe the changing surface of the Earth to support mining exploration, monitoring of the climate, water and environment, crop and agricultural health, and management of floods, fires and natural disasters.
Harris will take up her new position on 24 February.
Write to Angela East at Mining.com.au
Images: Geoscience Australia
