About Robert Hardie
Leading with intent through trust, authenticity and integrity, Robert is a strategic and community-focused executive with deep experience in agriculture, health, and regional development, and at the highest levels of the Australian Government.
Work experience
Robert Hardie is Head of Health and Agriculture @ NBN Co.
Robert is Executive Manager - Health and Agriculture at NBN Co. In this role, Robert assists national peak bodies, advocacy organisations and community groups in regional, rural and remote Australia to increase their digital capability and take full advantage of the benefits of broadband internet delivered by the nbn network.
He works with national organisations such as the National Farmers' Federation, the National Rural Health Alliance, state-based Country Women's Association groups and other peak bodies to achieve the NBN Co mission - elevate Australia by connecting people and powering progress.
Prior to joining nbn in 2020, Robert was a policy director at the NSW Farmers’ Association (2017-2019). In this role, Robert worked closely with farmers during the worst drought on record to ensure the agriculture sector continued to thrive; Robert led the development of the Association’s 2019 state election policy manifesto, FOCUS.
Robert has more than a decade's experience as a political adviser, working in the Howard, Abbott and Morrison governments, and spending six years working as an opposition policy adviser. This wealth of experience gives Robert practical insights into the way to develop and deploy successful advocacy campaigns, as well as the way to advocate with effect.
In the community
Supporting community organisations
Robert is closely involved in community organisations; he has extensive committee and boardexperience.
Robert is a Director on the Board of Masters Swimming Australia; first elected in 2020, he was elected unopposed for a subsequent two-year terms in 2022 and 2024. As a Director, Robert has championed governance reform of the organisation, helping to re-write the constitution, embed a new strategic plan, revitalise committees and review the financial security of the organisation.
A keen swimmer, Robert has been a member of the Sydney Wett Ones since 2017. Wett Ones is Australia’s largest LGBT+ swimming club, and one of Australia’s largest Masters swimming clubs. Robert was elected Vice President of the club in 2017 and went on to serve the maximum three years as the club’s President (2018 to 2021). During that time, Wett Ones became Australia’s largest Masters swimming club and Wett Ones also won the 2019 Masters Swimming NSW Branch Points Score trophy (for the first time in it’s history) and won the 2020 International Gay and Lesbian Aquatics tournament held in Melbourne. Administratively, Robert's time as President oversaw the introduction of a fully-electronic member booking system, reform of the constitution, rebranding of the club with a new uniform and active support for programs which lifted women's participation in the club.
Robert also serves as Vice President of the Farm Writers’ Association of NSW (Committee member since 2018, Secretary 2019 to 2021, Bookings manager 2021 to present); Farm Writers connects agribusiness professionals with key agricultural thought leaders and innovators.
In addition to a few kilometres a week in the pool, Robert is an avid gym-goer, which allows him to offset the cooking he also enjoys.
Robert lives in Green Square in inner Sydney.
