27 May 2025

The Water Cooler: Comings and goings in the public service

| Andrew McLaughlin
Start the conversation
combined image of portraits of a smiling woman and a smiling man

In the ATO, Nicole Dykstra has been named as Assistant Secretary for Frontline Business Improvement, and Julian Roberts as Assistant Secretary for Frontline Compliance. Photos: LinkedIn.

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

APS Senior Executive Service

Band 1

Alexandra Powell has been appointed as the new branch manager for clinical governance, and Sheriel Hughes as the new branch manager for national program delivery, for the Australian Digital Health Agency.

Alexandra O’Rourke has been appointed as Assistant Secretary for Illicit Tobacco and E-cigarette (ITEC) Governance, Strategy and Reporting.

Benjamin Barratt is the new Assistant Secretary at the First Nations Health Division in the Department of Health.

combined image of portraits of a smiling woman and a smiling man

Anna Longley has been appointed As Deputy Commissioner for Frontline Risk and Strategy in the ATO. Benjamin Barratt is the new Assistant Secretary at the First Nations Health Division in the Department of Health. Photos: LinkedIn.

Band 2

Will Nankervis has been appointed as a First Assistant Secretary in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).

In the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), Anna Longley has been appointed as Deputy Commissioner for Frontline Risk and Strategy, Julian Roberts as Assistant Secretary for Frontline Compliance, and Nicole Dykstra as Assistant Secretary for Frontline Business Improvement.

Other Federal Appointments

David Fredericks has announced he will retire as Secretary of the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW), effective from 20 June.

Professor Jan Breckenridge has been appointed as a member of the Minister for Government Services’ Independent Advisory Board, a body that provides guidance, insights and recommendations on the design, delivery and implementation of government services.

combined image of portraits of a woman and a smiling man

Professor Jan Breckenridge has been appointed as a member of the Minister for Government Services’ Independent Advisory Board. David Fredericks has announced he will retire as Secretary of the DCCEEW. Photos: Screenshot & DCCEEW.

States and Territories

Greg McCann has been appointed as chair of Tasmania’s TasPorts Board, with Evelyn Horton, Wayne Porritt and Zorana Bull as non-executive directors.

Bruce Barbour has been reappointed for three years as chairperson of Queensland’s Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC), while Jen O’Farrell has been reappointed as CEO, also for three years.

Subscribe to PS News

Sign up now for all your free Public Sector and Defence news, delivered direct to your inbox.
Loading
By submitting your email address you are agreeing to Region Group's terms and conditions and privacy policy.

Start the conversation

Be among the first to get all the Public Sector and Defence news and views that matter.

Subscribe now and receive the latest news, delivered free to your inbox.

By submitting your email address you are agreeing to Region Group's terms and conditions and privacy policy.