Governance

NQBP is a government owned corporation (GOC), incorporated under the Corporations Act 2001 and subject to the requirements of the Government Owned Corporations Act 1993.

The Queensland Government owns all shares in NQBP, which are held by two shareholding Ministers:

  • the Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment and Training
  • the Minister for Transport and Main Roads

NQBP applies ‘good practice’ corporate governance to help it achieve its outcomes and obligations through sound planning and risk management. Corporate governance guides decision-making and improves accountability so that people working for NQBP have a framework for good business conduct and integrity in dealings.

The board of NQBP assumes overall responsibility for corporate governance. It monitors the performance of the business, its management and employees, both directly and through the established board committees.

You can download our governance policy and procedure for detailed insight into how the NQBP board operates.

Our board

NQBP’s board of directors sets the organisation's corporate direction and goals, oversees management to ensure it achieves these goals, and reviews progress. The board charter sets out the roles and responsibilities of the board and of management.

NQBP has three board committees and each of these has a charter in place that sets out its role:

  1. Audit and Financial Risk Management Committee Charter
  2. Culture People and Safety Committee Charter
  3. Corporate Governance and Planning Committee Charter

Queensland Government's corporate governance guidelines for Government-owned corporations provide a framework to develop, implement, review and report upon corporate governance arrangements.

Our chair and directors

As of October 2025, NQBP board directors are listed below.

Man looking at camera smiling in a suit

Grant Gilfillan | Chair | BME
First appointed 01/10/2025 | Term of office 31/05/2029

Grant has extensive leadership experience across the mining, ports, logistics, and transport sectors, having served in Chief Executive and Director roles in Australia and internationally. In addition to a Degree in Mining Engineering, he holds Mine Managers Certificates in NSW and WA and is a Past President and Honorary life Member of The International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH).

He is known for his ability to drive organisational performance, foster strong industry relationships, and lead cultural and commercial transformation. The achievements Grant values the most are the coaching and development of others who have gone on to become more confident and better leaders.

Monica McKendry | BBus (Acct) CA GAICD
First Appointed 01/10/2020 | Term of office 30/09/2027

Monica is a Chartered Accountant and graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.  She was a partner of the Mackay based accounting practice SH Tait & Co and for more than 25 years provided a diverse range of business clients with accounting, taxation and business advice and services.  Monica is also the Interim Chair of the Mackay Hospital and Health Service and an external representative of the Mackay Regional Council's Audit Committee.

Woman sitting at a table with plants in the background

Melinda Hashimoto | B.Ed (LOTE) MBA (Leadership) JP (Qual)
First appointed 02/10/2025 | Term of office 31/05/2029

Melinda Hashimoto is the CEO of Egg Farmers of Australia. Melinda has been involved in the areas of trade and investment and government policy having worked for both state and federal Ministers with involvement in Agriculture, transport and rural regions.

Melinda has B.Ed (LOTE), MBA (Leadership), is a qualified florist, JP (Qual) and in 2025 was awarded a Churchill Fellowship.

Man crouching in a field with crop

Lachlan Millar
First appointed 02/10/2025 | Term of office 31/05/2029

Mr Millar was appointed to the Board in October 2025, with a career spanning 10 years as a rural journalist for the ABC as well as a decade as the Member for Gregory, Mr Millar brings a wealth of experience to NQBP.

Originally from a farming/irrigation family in Emerald, Mr Millar understands the challenges faced by a regionally based organisation. He has previously held roles as a Ministerial Advisor and Executive of Fitzroy Basin Food and Fibre and currently works part-time for the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) in commercial and corporate affairs.

Woman sitting face on smiling at camera

Kelly Newton | LLB, BBusMan 
First appointed 02/10/2025 | Term of office 31/05/2029

Kelly is co-owner of food manufacturing and marketing business, Keppel Eats and Cattlemen’s, which makes and sells value added meat products into the Australian foodservice channel nationally.  After an early career in law, Kelly turned her focus to growing a regional business, expanding market share and reach.