RESIDENTIAL TENANCIES AUTHORITY

RTA Board

Role of the Board

The RTA Board, in conjunction with the General Manager, establishes the strategic direction and priorities for the RTA for consideration by the Minister.

The Board's functions include:

providing policy advice to the Minister about the application of, or amendments to, the Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008
monitoring the RTA's performance
establishing strategic priorities
approving the audit report and annual report
ensuring the RTA carries out its functions under the Act and its statutory responsibilities.

Composition

The Board consists of the Chairperson and 6 other Directors. The members must include representatives of industry and consumer organisations. The Governor-in-Council appoints the Chairperson and other Directors pursuant to the Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008. Board members including the chairperson are non-executive and bring to the Board an appropriate mix of experience and skill in industry, business and consumer issues.

John Battams - Chairperson

John Battams was appointed as Chairperson of the RTA Board on 2 December 2004. Mr Battams is currently the General Secretary of the Queensland Teachers' Union. As such he has an extensive knowledge of the State, regularly visiting major centres and towns and remote areas of Queensland.

Mr Battams has extensive directorship experience. He is currently a Director and Deputy Chair of a 'not for profit' health fund, a private investment group of companies and has been Director of Workcover Queensland. As a consequence, he has developed a very good understanding of the way in which government departments, agencies and corporations operate. As the President of a community sporting organisation, and the peak trade union body in Queensland, the Queensland Council of Unions, he has significant experience at leading both small and large organisations, developing good working relationships with senior management and employees of organisations as well as developing and implementing business plans.

Lee Banfield

Appointed to the Board in June 2009, Ms Banfield is currently the Manager of the Tenant Advice and Advocacy Service on the Sunshine Coast.

Ms Banfield brings with her extensive knowledge of the Queensland rental sector through her experience working with the Tenant Advice and Advocacy Service and Tenants Union of Queensland as well as prior experience as a property manager.

Ms Banfield has also been a Queensland shelter representative to the RTA Industry Development Forum.

Cathy Bavage

Appointed as a Director in 1995, Ms Bavage chairs a large community services network in the Wynnum area and has a long history of involvement with supporting accommodation services. Ms Bavage's experience in developing and managing community services enhances the RTA's understanding of high-need groups within all sectors of the residential rental community. Ms Bavage is a member of the Audit Committee.

Darrell Brady

Mr Brady is a licensed real estate agent and a member of the Real Estate Institute of Queensland, as well as a licensed general auctioneer, and a national accredited trainer. Mr Brady brings to the Board a practical understanding of the needs of the residential rental community from tenant, agent and lessor perspectives.

Luella Camp

Appointed as a Director in June 2001, Mrs Camp brings to the Board an understanding of community issues. She has been involved in numerous community groups responsible for assisting families with accommodation issues.

Roslyn Wallace

Ms Wallace joined the RTA Board in April 2004. She brings expertise gained first as a member and subsequently as Secretary of the Property Owners' Association of Queensland. Ms Wallace also contributes previous experience with the RTA as an Industry Development Forum member and delegate to RTA consultations on the review of the Residential Tenancies Act 1994. Ms Wallace lends her hands-on knowledge to the Board with skills in interviewing, advising and supporting parties, particularly lessors with rental concerns.

Charles Ware

Mr Ware was appointed to the RTA Board in April 2005. Mr Ware joined the RTA Board with 20 years' experience as a partner in private legal practice in Central Queensland. Mr Ware's legal expertise lies primarily in the areas of property, commercial and corporate work, in addition to substantial local government practice. He also brings a broad range of directorship experience to the RTA Board, with current appointments including Deputy Chancellor of Central Queensland University and Director of Central Queensland Ports Authority as well as previous positions in the Queensland electricity supply industry.