Energy and Water Ombudsman tenure to conclude in November 2026

Published on 09 July 2026

After a decade of service, Energy and Water Ombudsman for Queensland Jane Pires will conclude her appointment on 30 November 2026.

Beyond leading Queensland's independent energy and water dispute resolution scheme, Ms Pires has worked closely with government, regulators and industry stakeholders to identify systemic issues, inform policy development and promote improvements in customer service and consumer protections.

Under the legislation governing the office, the Ombudsman's tenure is limited to a maximum of ten years. Having reached that milestone, Ms Pires will complete her appointment at the end of November 2026.

Appointed in 2016, Ms Pires has led the organisation through a decade of significant change across Queensland's energy sector, working with consumers, scheme participants, regulators and government stakeholders to support independent dispute resolution and improved customer outcomes.

Reflecting on her tenure, Ms Pires said one of the most valuable aspects of the role had been the opportunity to listen directly to Queenslanders and better understand the issues affecting their daily lives.

‘Getting into communities and hearing people's experiences firsthand has reinforced the importance of independent, accessible dispute resolution and consumer education. Those conversations have shaped our work and strengthened our ability to support consumers across Queensland,’ Ms Pires said.

The recruitment process for the next Energy and Water Ombudsman for Queensland will be managed by Davidson, with applications closing Friday 31 July 2026. Information about the role and recruitment process is available on the Davidson website.