Virtual on the Couch with Tony Circelli

Mr Tony Circelli is Chief Executive of the Environment Protection Authority, South Australia’s independent environment regulator and sits on South Australia’s Senior Management Council.

Before taking up his current position in May 2014, Mr Circelli was Deputy CE for 2 years. He has worked in the EPA since its establishment in 1995, holding a variety of senior executive positions, including leading national and state policy and strategy development, operations, and corporate governance functions.

He has led on significant and nation-leading reforms including establishing South Australia’s site contamination legislative system, and introducing legislative and policy framework to underpin and support the state’s billion-dollar resource recovery sector.

Mr Circelli has significant knowledge and experience in regulatory science and building better regulatory practice into EPA policy, operations and organisational culture.

He is the current Presiding Member of the SA Radiation Protection Committee, and a member of the national Asbestos Safety and Eradication Council.

Mr Circelli has an honours degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Adelaide and a Master of Business Administration from Deakin University. He is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and Fellow of the Governor’s Leadership Foundation.

My executive and management career includes more than twenty years’ experience in policy advice, financial management, and organisation and executive leadership.

In 2015, I was appointed Chief Executive of the Department of Treasury and Finance (DTF), South Australia.

At DTF, we’re working together to support the future prosperity and wellbeing of all South Australians. As Chief Executive I provide leadership and governance to the State budget, and oversee the strategic performance of government agencies across industrial relations, budget, taxation, superannuation, commercial and economics and accounting issues.

Prior to this current appointment, I held roles including Executive Director of the Budget Branch and Director of Gambling Policy.

I am passionate about improving the public sector through organisational development and a ‘staff first’ approach. I place a strong focus on gender equality and staff leadership and collaboration.

I have completed a Bachelor of Economics (Hons) from the University of Adelaide, I am a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and also a National Fellow of the Institute of Public Administration Australia.