26 September 2023

Senior Appointments

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Keogh to ACCC Deputy

Mick Keogh (pictured) has been appointed Deputy Chair of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) for a five-year term.

He replaces Michael Schaper, who has served for 10 years.

Commissioners Sarah Court and Cristina Cifuentes have been reappointed for five years.

Mr Keogh has been the ACCC’s Agriculture Commissioner since 2016 and will continue to perform his agriculture responsibilities.

Ms Cifuentes was first appointed to the ACCC in 2013 and has overseen areas such as telecommunications, wheat ports, rail and water.

Ms Court has been a member of the ACCC since 2008, overseeing its enforcement and litigation program.


New Deputy Commissioner at AFP

Assistant Police Commissioner Neil Gaughan (pictured) has been appointed Deputy Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police (AFP).

Assistant Commissioner Gaughan will fill the third Deputy Commissioner position, made vacant by Michael Phelan, who was appointed Chief Executive of the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission in November.

He will take up the Deputy Commissioner Operations role, replacing Deputy Commissioner Leanne Close, who will become Deputy Commissioner National Security.

Deputy Commissioner Gaughan has been appointed for a five-year term from 30 April.


‘Defence Trade Control Act’ under review

Dr Vivienne Thom (pictured) has been appointed to conduct a review of the Defence Trade Controls Act 2012.

Dr Thom is a former Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security and a former Deputy Commonwealth Ombudsman.

Her review is expected to take six months.

The Defence Trade Controls Act protects current and future national security and Australian Defence Force (ADF) capability and is required to be reviewed every two years.


Walsh to Australia Council chair

Sam Walsh (pictured) has been appointed the thirteenth Chair of the Australia Council for the Arts for a three-year term beginning on 1 July.

Mr Walsh has served on the Board of the Australia Council since late 2016 and is the current Chair of the Art Gallery of Western Australia.

He replaces Rupert Myer, whose term concludes on 30 June.


Craik named to Reserve Bank Board

Dr Wendy Craik (pictured) has been appointed to the Board of the Reserve Bank of Australia as a part-time member for a five-year term beginning on 7 May.

Among Dr Craik’s previous appointments are Chief Executive of the Murray–Darling Basin Commission, Commissioner of the Productivity Commission, and Deputy Chancellor of the University of South Australia.

She replaces Kathryn Fagg, whose term ends on 6 May.


New member for RIC Board

Prue Bondfield (pictured) has been appointed a member of the Board of the Regional Investment Corporation (RIC).

Ms Bondfield has a background in law and has held positions as Chair of the Beef Industry Sustainability Framework Steering Committee and Director of the State Management Council for the NSW Livestock Health and Pest Authorities.

The RIC will begin its work on 1 July administering the $2 billion farm business concessional loans program and the $2 billion National Water Infrastructure Loan Facility.


Truss to head Rail Corporation

Former Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss (pictured) has been appointed Chair of the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) for a three-year term, replacing Helen Nugent.

The ARTC oversees the Government-owned interstate rail network company.

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