Owen Whittle was appointed chief executive of Western Australian Music in late 2024. He had previously worked with with UnionsWA from 2012 to 2024. He was its assistant secretary from 2013 until he became secretary in December 2020, the second-youngest person to serve in the role. Mr Whittle has been involved in occupational health and safety, workers’ compensation, and the successful passage of the Work Health and Safety Act 2020 that included industrial manslaughter law reform.
Mr Whittle was a ministerial staffer during the Gallop-Carpenter Governments. Prior to joining UnionsWA, he was the communications and campaigns officer for the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union WA for its highly successful local jobs campaign.
Mr Whittle was a board member of Workcover WA 2014-2024, and was previously a director and chair of the Welfare Rights & Advocacy Service. He has also served as a member of the Commission for Occupational Safety and Health, the LNG Jobs Taskforce, and the Ministerial Advisory Panel on Work Health and Safety Reform.
