The Water Cooler: Comings and goings in the APS

A breakdown of the latest appointments in the Australian Public Service and across the public services of the states and territories.

APS Senior Executive Service

Band 1

Kari Ellis is the new Commander of Eastern Trade at the Department of Home Affairs.

The Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC) has appointed its chief financial officer.

Kellie Sheriff has been made an assistant secretary at the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.

The Australian Government Solicitor now has Stacey Hahn, Nicolette Strauss and Emily Bell as senior executive lawyers.

Lara Wood Gladwin, Susan Kibukamusoke, Ryan Wickson and Amanda Day are new branch managers at the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA).

Band 2

Richard Fleming has been promoted to general counsel at the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA).

The Department of Finance now has Paul Pfitzner as first assistant secretary.

Band 3

The Department of Home Affairs has appointed Clare Sharp as general counsel.

Other federal

Net Zero Economy Authority Board announced as operations begin

As operations begin for the inaugural Net Zero Economy Authority with CEO David Shankey at its head, the Federal Government has also established its board.

The appointed members are chair Dr Iain Ross AO, Tony Maher, Mike Mrdak AO, Michele O’Neil, Professor Robynne Quiggin, Anna Skarbek and Zoe Whitton.

Board members were selected based on their collective experience across regional development, the trade union movement, business, industry, Indigenous advocacy and climate policy.

Former Ag secretary appointed chair of Murray-Darling Authority

The Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) Board has a new chair following the retirement of Air Chief Marshal Sir Angus Houston.

Former Agriculture Department Secretary and NSW Agriculture Commissioner Daryl Quinlivan will take up the role from 23 December.

The Federal Government announced the appointment this week, noting Mr Quinlivan has extensive experience in public service governance and water resource management, including as a former member of the Murray-Darling Basin Commission.

Mr Quinlivan has been appointed chair of the Murray-Darling Basin Authority Board for a four-year term. Sir Angus, who joined as chair in 2020, will retire on 22 December.

Government orders ‘short, sharp’ review into AUKUS nuclear submarine agency

The Federal Government has quietly appointed former Defence Department secretary and ambassador to the US Dennis Richardson to conduct a review into the Australian Submarine Agency (ASA).

Established just 18 months ago to deliver Virginia-class and SSN AUKUS nuclear-powered submarines to the Royal Australian Navy under AUKUS Pillar I, the agency is commanded by Navy Vice Admiral Johnathan Mead.

As reported in The Guardian Australia, the appointment of Mr Richardson comes after the resignation last month of ASA deputy director-general David Hallinan after concerns he had raised about the running of the agency.

Aged Care Quality and Safety Commissioner named

Liz Hefren-Webb has been appointed as the new Aged Care Quality and Safety Commissioner, starting 20 January, 2025.

The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commissioner is a critical role in leading the national regulator of aged care, protecting the health, safety and wellbeing of older people.

Ms Hefren-Webb is the current Deputy Secretary of Social Policy at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.

Until she begins in the role, Janet Anderson PSM will continue in the position that reports directly to Aged Care Minister Anika Wells.

Since the beginning of 2019, Ms Anderson has led the commission through the implementation of the new Aged Care Quality Standards, the establishment of the Serious Incident Response Scheme, 24/7 registered nurse coverage and mandatory care minutes.

New leadership for the Australian Institute of Family Studies

The Federal Government has appointed Elizabeth Neville as the new director of the Australian Institute of Family Studies for a five-year term.

Since June 2023, Ms Neville has been acting in the position after working as head of the Children’s Taskforce in the National Disability and Insurance Agency (NDIA).

AIFS is the Australian Government’s key research advisory agency in the area of family wellbeing. It is an independent statutory authority established in 1980 under the Family Law Act 1975.

The authority is a key source of advice on relevant policies and programs delivered by the Department of Social Services, which will soon have Michael Lye return as Secretary.

Ahpra names five new board chairs

All the nation’s Health Ministers, as the Ministerial Council for the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme, have laid down 46 new appointments of chairs and board members to fill vacancies on 13 national boards.

In total, 85 appointments were made, which are listed in this communique.

Five new board chairs were also appointed:

• Dr Susan O’Dwyer, chair of the Medical Board of Australia
• Dr Cameron Phillips, chair of the Pharmacy Board of Australia
• Dr Simon Shanahan, chair of the Dental Board of Australia
• Dr Paula Harding, chair of the Physiotherapy Board of Australia
• Dr Kristy Robson, chair of the Podiatry Board of Australia.

They replace retiring national board chairs who were appointed in 2018 and have come to the end of their terms:

• Dr Anne Tonkin AO (Medical Board of Australia)
• Brett Simmonds (Pharmacy Board of Australia)
• Dr Murray Thomas (Dental Board of Australia)
• Kim Gibson (Physiotherapy Board of Australia)
• Professor Cylie Williams (Podiatry Board of Australia).

Board members appointed to Indigenous Business Australia

Darren Godwell (chair), Leah Cameron (director) and Olga Havnen (director) have been appointed to the board of Indigenous Business Australia (IBA).

Indigenous Business Australia plays a critical role in advancing the economic independence of First Nations people through expert business advice, tailored finance solutions and investment initiatives that empower individuals and businesses.

Mr Godwell is a Kokoberren man from North Queensland who is chief executive officer (CEO) of i2i Global, an Indigenous-owned and led advisory company. He was made a fellow of the Australian Institute of International Affairs (AIIA) in 2022 for advancing Indigenous interests in trade and investment and serves on the Indigenous Advisory Group at NAB.

Ms Cameron, a Palawa woman from Tasmania, is the managing director and principal solicitor of Marrawah Law. She specialises in property law (including native title and cultural heritage) and commercial law, but has also garnered experience outside the law as an Indigenous expert on the Australian Heritage Council.

Ms Havnen is a Western Arrernte woman who grew up in Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory. She has significant board experience as director of the Justice Reform Initiative and previously as a director of the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation, Clontarf Foundation and Stars Foundation. She has also had leadership roles in community-facing organisations, including as CEO of the Danila Dilba Health Service.

New judge to join Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia

Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus has announced the appointment of Dianne Simpson as a judge of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1), starting on 3 February, 2025, in the Sydney Registry.

She was admitted as a legal practitioner to the Supreme Court of Victoria in 1993, becoming an accredited specialist in family law in NSW in 2009.

States and Territories

New commissioner appointed to NSW casino regulator

The NSW Government has appointed experienced public administrator Christine Howlett as a new Commissioner of the state’s Independent Casino Commission (NICC) for a four-year term.

The NICC is the independent statutory regulator of NSW’s two casinos, and was set up in 2022 to provide increased regulatory oversight of casino operations.

Ms Howlett will be taking over from Craig Sahlin, who has served in the role since 2022.

From 2021, she served as Deputy Special Manager, independently overseeing Crown Melbourne’s remediation program following the findings of the Finkelstein Royal Commission, including reforms to prevent gambling harm and money laundering.

New leadership at NSW cultural institutions

The NSW Government has appointed a range of key board and trust members to drive implementation of policy for creative industries in the state.

Released in December 2023, the Creative Communities policy commits to a whole-of-government approach to sustainably grow the creative industries.

These new appointments are:

• Michael Rose AM, chairman of the Committee for Sydney and Greater Sydney Parklands Authority, appointed as president of the Art Gallery of NSW Board of Trustees
• Peter Collins, former minister for the arts and former treasurer, appointed to the Art Gallery of NSW Board of Trustees
• Emile Sherman, Academy Award-winning producer, appointed to the Art Gallery of NSW Board of Trustees
• Dr Cathy Foley AO PSM, Australia’s Chief Scientist, appointed to the Australian Museum Trust
• David Borger, former minister for education and minister for transport, appointed as Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences Trust president
• Linda Scott, former City of Sydney deputy lord mayor, appointed as Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences Trustee
• Professor Barney Glover AO, Commissioner of Jobs and Skills and former Western Sydney University vice-chancellor, appointed as Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences Trustee
• Bob Carr, former NSW premier, NSW minister for the arts and former minister for foreign affairs, appointed as chair of the Museums of History NSW
• Rob Stokes, former minister for cities, minister for education, minister for planning and public spaces, appointed to the Museums of History NSW board
• Bob Debus AM, former minister assisting the minister for arts, appointed as Library Council president
• Professor Jennifer Barrett, University of Sydney pro vice-chancellor, Indigenous (Academic) appointed to the State Library of NSW Library Council
• Troy Bramston, senior columnist with The Australian newspaper, appointed to the State Library of NSW Library Council.

New leader for Building Commission NSW

James Sherrard has begun his role leading the state’s inaugural building and construction regulator, the Building Commission NSW.

The Building Commission NSW was established on 1 December, 2023, with efforts across metropolitan and regional areas of the state.

Mr Sherrard brings more than 30 years of experience, including from his previous role as head of commercial, performance and strategy at Transport NSW and project manager on civic, residential and sporting infrastructure projects across the world.

Treasurer Tim Pallas resigning from Victorian politics

The Victorian Government’s Treasurer and Member for Werribee Tim Pallas has announced that he will quit politics.

He has served as Treasurer since 2014 and been an MP since 2006. While no new treasurer has been announced yet, media reports suspect Assistant Treasurer Danny Pearson will take on the role.

Three new members to join Victorian Veterans Council

The Victorian Government has appointed three new members to the Victorian Veterans Council: Michelle Campbell, Pippa Morris and Chris Gray.

Current council member and First Nations veteran Brett West will take up the deputy chairperson role, while John McNeill has been reappointed to the council for a second term.

The Victorian Veterans Council is an independent statutory body that provides advice to the Labor Government about issues impacting the veteran community.

Ms Campbell is a former trustee of the Shrine of Remembrance Board of Trustees, has served in the Australian Defence Force Army Reserve for more than three decades and is a veteran of the Afghanistan War.

Ms Morris is the president of Ballan RSL Sub-Branch and a founding member of the Discharged LGBTI Veterans’ Association. She is also a former education manager at Melbourne Polytechnic and until recently was a lieutenant in the Australian Navy Cadets.

Mr Gray is the general manager of veteran services at Vasey RSL Care, but also served 16 years in the Regular Army and a further six years in the Army Reserve.

Victoria appoints Secretary of the Department of Transport and Planning

The Victorian Government has appointed Jeroen Weimar as Secretary of the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP). He takes up the role on 27 January, 2025.

Over the past decade, Mr Weimar has been head of transport services at the Department of Transport, CEO of VicRoads, CEO of Public Transport Victoria and chief operating officer (COO) of Transport for London.

Most recently, he served as Deputy Secretary of Housing Statement Implementation at the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, but also served as CEO of the Victoria 2026 Organising Committee.

Brimbank City Council Municipal Monitors extended

Local Government Minister Melissa Horne has extended the appointment of municipal monitors at Brimbank City Council for another six months to continue supporting the council to improve its governance practices.

Monitors Janet Dore and Penelope Holloway were initially appointed for a 10-month period between 13 February and 31 December, 2024, but will now serve in the roles until 30 June, 2025.

The interim report notes that while Brimbank has made progress in improving its governance structures, work is still required to support the council.

Municipal monitors are appointed to councils to advise on necessary governance improvements and report back to the Minister, under section 179 of the Local Government Act 2020.

New committee to advise on needs of senior Victorians

The Victorian Government has appointed a new advisory committee for seniors in the state.

Sitting on the inaugural Senior Victorians Advisory Committee for a term of up to three years will be:

• Associate Professor in Rural Health, Sue Harrison OAM (chair)
• LGBTIQIA+ rights advocate, Brenda Appleton OAM
• Former educator and geo-information specialist, Dr Chukwudozie (Dozie) Ezigbalike
• Advocate for elder survivors of the Stolen Generation, Gabrielle (Aunty Gabby) Gamble
• Former mayor and councillor, Jan Laidlaw
• Family violence and gender equality professional, Linette Harriott
• Supporter of seniors of all cultural backgrounds, Mariamma John
• Supporter of seniors’ mental health, Van Pho.

The committee’s work will focus on providing advice on the implementation of the Ageing Well Action Plan 2022-2026 and the lived experiences of older Victorians.

Emma Cole appointed new chairperson of Western Australian Planning Commission

The WA Government has appointed Emma Cole as the new chairperson of the state’s Planning Commission – the first time a woman has held the role.

Ms Cole is one of the longest-tenured members on the WAPC, having served for more than four years, including most recently as deputy chairperson.

She is currently the chair of the State Emergency Management Committee (SEMC), which plays a major role in coordinating Victoria’s Hazard Management Authorities and public sector leaders.

Former Planning Institute of Australia state president and recently appointed WAPC board member Ray Haeren has now been appointed deputy chairperson of the WAPC.

Mr Haeren is joined by the immediate past Planning Institute of Australia state president Amanda Sheers as the newest commissioner to be appointed to the WAPC board.

Following Ms Sheers’ appointment, six of the nine WAPC board positions are now held by women – the highest female representation in the WAPC’s history.

Experts appointed to build WA’s net-zero workforce

The Clean Energy Skills National Centre of Excellence (CESNCE) has officially begun operations with the appointment of an Industry Advisory Board to advise the government on the clean energy workforce and a general manager to lead the CESNCE.

Western Power’s executive manager transition and sustainability Matthew Cheney has been appointed as board chair.

The board will be supported by the CESNCE’s recently appointed general manager Ty Theodore.

He joins the CESNCE from South Metropolitan TAFE, where he was executive director for the engineering, transport and defence division, the Australian Centre for Energy and Process Training, and the Automation and Robotics Training Centres.

Other members of the advisory board are:

• Governing council chair of the North Metropolitan TAFE, Dr Mara West
• Chair of the Pilbara Development Commission, Terry Hill
• Director of the Noongar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Jasmine Kadic
• CEO of Powering Australia, Shannon O’Rourke
• Deputy Director-General and Coordinator of Energy at the Department of Energy Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety, Jai Thomas
• National secretary of the Electrical Trades Union of Australia, Michael Wright
• CEO of the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of WA, Rebecca Tomkinson
• Director of MizCo Pty Ltd, Gregory Warren
• Director-General of the Department of Training and Workforce Development, Jodie Wallace.

WA launches review into electorate office employment arrangements

The WA Government has appointed former Federal Government minister Ben Morton to lead an independent review of the employment arrangements for members of parliament’s electorate officers.

The review will consider the employment frameworks for electoral officers in WA and consider whether they remain fit for purpose and ensure they can effectively support MPs to respond to the needs of their constituents.

The review is in response to a Corruption and Crime Commission report released in November 2024 that noted that current employment arrangements for electorate officers are complex and present challenges.

Burke Maslen to drive opportunities in the Gascoyne

Regional Development Minister Don Punch has announced the appointment of Burke Maslen as the new chair of the Gascoyne Development Commission (GDC).

He has served on the GDC’s board for four years, has been the Shire of Carnarvon’s Deputy President since 2019 and is the Gascoyne manager of Province Resources Ltd – a renewable energy company focused on green hydrogen.

In the past, Mr Maslen managed his family’s pastoral lease at Mardathuna Station before establishing his real estate business Outback Coast Property in Carnarvon.

New Independent Commissioner Against Corruption appointed for South Australia

Integrity official and prosecutor Emma Townsend has been appointed as South Australia’s third Independent Commissioner Against Corruption (ICAC).

The Office for Public Integrity (OPI) director will replace Acting Commissioner Ben Broyd, who held the role since the retirement of Ann Vanstone KC earlier this year.

Ms Townsend has been a prosecutor with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for 18 years, but has held other roles within the Attorney-General’s Department and commercial law firm Thomson Playford.

Top cop to take reins of SA’s consumer watchdog

Brett Humphrey has been appointed to lead SA’s consumer watchdog – Consumer and Business Services.

He has served for more than 25 years with SA Police, most recently as Officer-in-Charge of the force’s Licensing Enforcement Branch. In that role, he led work policing liquor, tobacco, security, gaming, casino, hydroponics and tattooing.

Before that, he oversaw the force’s Prosecution Services Branch and operation of SA’s five COVID-19 Medi Hotels during the pandemic, along with managing the implementation of body-worn cameras.

Hydro Tasmania appoints Rachel Watson as new CEO

Hydro Tasmania chair Richard Bolt has announced the appointment of Rachel Watson to the role of chief executive officer.

Ms Watson is currently the country manager for global renewable developer OX2. She was formerly CEO of Pacific Hydro Australia and chair of the Clean Energy Council, and was recently named in The Australian’s list of 100 Green Power Players.

Hydro Tasmania’s executive general manager of Strategy Erin van Maanen has been Acting CEO since Ian Brooksbank’s retirement in October.

New Metro Tasmania director welcomed

The Tasmanian Government has appointed Tim Booker as a non-executive director of Metro Tasmania for a three-year term.

Currently he is managing director of Apex Advisory, but was previously a director at Deloitte Australia in the Turnaround and Restructuring team. Mr Booker is also the chair of The District Nurses and High Risk Work Solutions.

Tony Braxton-Smith was reappointed as chair for another year, while Jane Sargison has been appointed for a three-year term after completing her first one-year tenure.