Our Team

STEVE HALBERT
Managing Director

ANZIIF Associate
Diploma of Insurance Administration
Diploma of Financial Services (Broking)

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Steve's insurance career began in 1977 working for a major Australian insurance company where he was involved in underwriting and claims management roles before progressing to senior management. In 1994 Steve was recruited to international insurance broker Aon Risk Services where he managed a hospitality scheme for restaurants and was responsible for corporate and specialised business sectors.

Since 2004 Steve has been a Director/Shareholder of Austral Risk Services with a portfolio of commercial and corporate clients together with responsibility for new business development. Steve became Managing Director in July 2008.

Steve is a MAICD of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and is on the Board of the Children’s Book Council of Australia.

RON BROADBENT
Non-Executive Director

QFSR
Advanced Diploma of Financial Services

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Ron joined the Insurance Industry in 1995 following a career in banking and has been in his current role with Austbrokers Holdings Ltd since 2000. The role sees Ron acting as a Non Executive Director on behalf of Austbrokers who hold a shareholding in Austral Risk Services.

Ron has an MBA from Charles Sturt University, has an Advanced Diploma of Financial Services, is a QFSR (Qualified Financial Services Representative) & is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

TRACY JARDINE
General Manager

ANZIIF Tier 1 General Insurance Compliance
Accredited Extended DISC Consultant

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Tracy has worked in the insurance industry for over 30 years and with Austral since 2007. She worked in a number of senior executive assistant roles in the insurance and broking sectors prior to changing her focus to compliance when the industry became compliant under FSRA.

Tracy was Operations and Compliance Manager prior to becoming General Manager at Austral.

“I get the most reward from my work by helping our staff become the best they can possibly be through training and mentoring. I also love spending time with our huge range of clients and providing them with a wonderful experience.”

She is integral to making our team tick so we can fulfill our promise to our clients of [over] delivering every day. We couldn’t do without her.

JOHN LI
General Manager - Head of China Desk

Masters Degree
Banking, Corporate, Finance and Securities Law
Tier 1 Insurance Broking

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John (Jianqiao) Li is a degree-qualified financial and business analyst with five years corporate financial risk assessment experience in the mining and construction sectors, specialising in gold and iron ore minerals. His expertise is conducting detailed financial ratio calculation and project valuation, preparation of financial and business strategic plans and extensive knowledge within financial business and systems risk modelling. 

John’s insurance experience spans over five years, specialising in businesses operating in Asia, where he is able to achieve superior cover on programs at economical pricing in countries where sophistication of insurance products is low.

He has significant experience with exploration, construction and operation programs for mining and property projects worldwide. His knowledge and experience has created industry recognition as a skilled negotiator and has extensive experience servicing his clients in Australia.

FEI LI
General Manager - China Desk Melbourne

Bachelor of Commerce (Economics & Finance)
Tier 1 Certificate

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Fei began his insurance broking career in 2010 and has worked in Australian and international firms.

Based in Melbourne, Fei is managing Austral's Melbourne and Sydney clients, including many businesses with Chinese/Asian backed investors.

Fei brings in-depth knowledge and understanding of a variety of industries to our clients, with particular expertise in construction and property development.

Prior to joining our team, Fei worked as Account Executive, serving clients from various industries including retail, hospitality, construction, and tourism.

JON STEWARD
Senior Account Executive - Commercial

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Jon has only recently joined the insurance industry after working in the sales and the building industry for over 30 years.  Jon is now running the commercial team which specialises in small to medium enterprise businesses including Trades, Facilities for Taxi’s, Learner Driving Schools and Special Charter vehicles.

He has a wide range of experience in both commercial and residential building and brings this in-depth knowledge and understanding to our clients. He has a sound knowledge of all aspects of the building trades from commercial and domestic builders to fit out specialists and the architects.

Jon is highly committed to our clients and a great asset to the Austral team. He's a huge soccer fan and Manchester United supporter - and the instigator of Austral's very own indoor soccer team!

RON ELLIOTT
Senior Account Executive

Australian Insurance Institute Associate
Qualified Practising Insurance Broker
National Insurance Broking Association - Fellow
Diploma of Financial Services (Broking)

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Ron has been employed in the insurance broking industry since 1970 in both Australian and international organisations.

Ron has been involved in servicing Australian and Western Australian based corporate and business accounts for Austral Risk Services for many years. His diverse client base includes property portfolios, auto distributors and motor dealers, community groups, manufacturers, exporters, retailers and wholesalers and parking and security.

Ron has a broad knowledge in most insurance classes with a particular involvement in property and liability.

TIM HARDING
Senior Account Executive

Chartered Insurance Institute - Associate
ANZIIF Tier 1 General Insurance Compliance Certificate

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Tim brings extensive experience to all the clients he works with. He has worked across a broad range of industry sectors and is an asset to any team.

Tim’s work ethos is about simplifying the overall insurance process for people – and ensuring that his clients receive quick responses and resolutions for their businesses. The trust and loyalty of his clients is testament to the outstanding work he does – and to the personable guy he is.

LEE LITTLE
Senior Account Executive

ANZIIF Tier 1 General Insurance Compliance Certificate

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With over 22 years experience, Lee has worked across all areas of insurance, underwriting and risk management.

His work mantra is to find the best solutions for our clients – and does this by offering in-depth market and product knowledge, a global network and proactive advice and support.

Lee’s specialties are workers' compensation, risk management, global placement, insurance contract reviews, insurer negotiations and aligned service standards to suit the individual needs of clients.

The industries he works in include mining, SME’s, vineyards, industrial and commercial cleaning, plantations, clinical trials, jewellery manufacture and distribution and aged care.

Lee works very hard for his clients and gets great satisfaction in aligning insurance portfolios to each client with a thorough understanding of their risk profile and risk management needs, market wins during negotiations with underwriters and finding cover solutions for hard to place risks.

EDDY BRETT
Senior Risk Advisor

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Eddy’s experience covers most aspects of the risk and insurance industry. He has had over 40 years working as a senior manager, underwriter, insurance broker and risk consultant with major corporations in the heavy engineering, tertiary education, energy and government sectors. He has had extended periods as the risk management consultant to Curtin University of Technology and more recently as risk management officer at the University of Western Australia.

Eddy oversees all of Austral’s risk management advisory work and his experience and knowledge is invaluable to every organisation he works with.

MICHAEL FORSTER
Account Broker

Tier 1 General Insurance Compliance ANZIIF

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Michael began his insurance career in 2008 in an Underwriter and Claims traineeship role with a leading insurer. He then moved from this role into a claims position and gained two years of invaluable experience in this area before moving to underwriting insurance.

In 2012, Michael moved into insurance broking and joined Austral Risk Services in 2014. Michael now plays an integral role in our Schemes team and manages this complex job extremely well - much to the delight of our clients.

Michael is a keen photographer who travels the world with camera in hand and we're hoping to see an exhibition of his amazing photography one day soon. He is also an avid sports fan - some say he's quite fanatical!

IVY JIA
Account Broker

Bachelor of Business Management
Tier 1 Insurance Broking

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Ivy began her career with the largest insurance company in Australia and worked there for five years after completing her university studies.

Ivy strongly believes the broker's role is all about solutions and service. She recently joined Austral to provide just that for our clients. Her experience includes working with personal, SME, commercial and corporate clients - particularly in the financial services sector.

Ivy is also the newest member of China Desk in the company.Working along with our Melbourne Office, Ivy is assisting many of our Chinese clients with their insurance needs in the industries of SME, mining, hospitality, financial services, wineries, and manufacturing.

LAURA PORTER
Account Broker

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Laura has been in the insurance industry for twelve years. She began her career as a Commercial Underwriter and moved across to general insurance broking ten years ago.

Laura worked in the local market and then went over to London for two years to expand her knowledge and experience, during which time she worked for a Lloyds broker. Upon her return in 2016, she joined Austral.

Laura is very client focussed and uses her strong negotiation skills to obtain the right cover, competitive price and when it counts, getting claims paid.

Laura is a keen gardener and her love for frangipanis is legendary. When she is not tendering her frangipanis she enjoys hitting the snow slopes to do some boarding … and enjoying a glass of wine or two!

TANYA YAHIYA
Assistant Broker

Diploma in Financial Services (Insurance Broking) with ANZIIF

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Tanya’s focus in her insurance career has been on personal insurance, SME insurance and claims management. She enjoys the fast pace the broking industry offers and especially enjoys working as part of a team to provide the best possible outcomes for Austral’s clients.

Tanya has received a Steadfast – ANZIIF Young Insurance Professional Outstanding Achievement Award in 2012.

She is committed to applying her knowledge and experience from various roles in the insurance industry for Austral’s clients. With a keen attention to detail, a personable and friendly approach and a passion for her work, Tanya is an asset for our business.

VICKY GLADWELL
Accountant

Bachelor of Business – Accounting

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Vicky is a qualified Accountant with over 25 years experience in her field. She has previously enjoyed roles as an auditor, company accountant and is currently our Senior Bookkeeper for Austral Risk Services.

Vicky's experience, analytical skills and business acumen are key assets for our business.

ANGELA MOOREHOUSE
Administration Assistant

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Angela joined Austral Risk Services in May 2015 and runs our reception. This is the hub of our company and Angela runs it like clockwork.

In her spare time, Angela loves to read.