Sunwater appoints James Benjamin as permanent leader with little public fanfare
James Benjamin is now permanent leader of Sunwater. He was deputy chief of staff to Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie.
Sunwater announced James Benjamin as its new permanent leader late last week with no media notification. Benjamin was most recently deputy chief of staff to Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie until September.
Benjamin previously advised Water Minister Ann Leahy after the 2024 election. Benjamin spent six years at Urban Utilities and worked in the state energy department.
The appointment has raised concerns about conflict of interest and board independence. For three years before this role, Benjamin was chief executive at Initiative Capital, a venture capital firm founded by board member John Cotter.
Initiative Capital was behind the dumped Urannah Project, a dam and renewable energy scheme west of Mackay. Sunwater said it followed a full process based on merit with advice from the Queensland Integrity Commissioner.
- $900,000 plus
- Previous interim salary
- Jeff Seeney
- Board chair
- John Cotter
- Board member
Why it mattersThe appointment raises concerns about transparency. It shows possible conflicts between government-linked appointees and how state corporations are run.
AustraliaQueenslanders using Sunwater services should be aware of the new leadership and the governance questions surrounding the appointment.
Corroborated bytheage.com.au·watoday.com.au
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 h ago
