NEW MEMBERS BRING WEALTH OF EXPERIENCE TO AUDIT COMMITTEE

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Audit and Risk Committee Appointees
Scenic Rim Regional Council has announced the appointment of two professionals who will bring a wealth of experience to Council as external, independent members of its Audit and Risk Committee.
 
Scenic Rim Mayor Greg Christensen said Council had sought individuals of a high calibre to fill the positions and was pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Stephen Coates as Chair and Ms Melissa Jacobs as Member.
 
"The Audit and Risk Committee provides an extremely important function, providing assurance to the community that Council is fulfilling its legislative responsibilities in relation to financial reporting, internal controls, risk management and ethical accountability," Cr Christensen said.
 
"There was keen interest in these positions when they were advertised and both new appointees have strong backgrounds in audit, risk and compliance.
 
"We are pleased to welcome Mr Coates and Ms Jacobs to the committee."
 
Mr Coates is President and Chair of the Institute of Internal Auditors Australia and considered to be at the forefront of professional development in his field.
 
He also serves on a number of other local government audit and risk committees including Newcastle City Council, Southern Downs Regional Council, Livingstone Shire Council and Moreton Bay Regional Council.
 
Ms Jacobs has a depth of audit, risk and compliance experience from a career of more than 20 years which includes executive and strategic leadership roles at City of Gold Coast and with the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Organising Committee (GOLDOC).
 
At GOLDOC she oversaw a portfolio of more than 600 projects, and more than 1000 risks at peak, and the risk model she developed for the Commonwealth Games was commended by the Queensland Audit Office as a benchmark for risk management practices.
 
In addition to appointing Mr Coates and Ms Jacobs, Council has also endorsed revised Terms of Reference for the Audit and Risk Committee to be presented at the committee's quarterly meeting in February.
 
"In 2018 Scenic Rim was judged Queensland's best council for its strong risk management framework and we are committed to continuously improving our risk management strategies," Cr Christensen said.
 
"Council extends its thanks to former Member Ms Amanda Pafumi and current Chair Jason Evans, who will remain in his role until June when he will hand over to Mr Coates, for their contribution as independent, external members to the Audit and Risk Committee."