Zoe Bright (left) has been appointed Executive Director, Legal, Performance and Engagement Branch in the Fair Work Commission. Dr Kerry Schott has been reappointed as chair of the Competition Review Expert Advisory Panel. Photos: LinkedIn and National Press Club.
A breakdown of the latest appointments and moves 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
Zoe Bright has been appointed Executive Director, Legal, Performance and Engagement Branch in the Fair Work Commission.
Alanna Maddock has been promoted to Assistant Secretary – Safety Net Branch in the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR).
Band 2
Laura Sham has been promoted to Deputy Commissioner, Data and Regulatory Transformation (DART) and Enabling Services in the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Quality and Safeguards Commission.
Other federal appointments
The Federal Government has reappointed seven members of the Competition Review Expert Advisory Panel until 24 February, 2027.
The reappointments comprise Dr Kerry Schott as chair, and Dr John Asker, Rod Sims, John Fingleton, David Gonski, Sharon Henrick and Danielle Wood as part‑time members.
The panel was established in 2023 to provide expert guidance and advice on policy and implementation matters related to Treasury’s Competition Review.
Andrew Mills has been appointed as acting chair of the Board of Taxation for a three-month period from 1 October.
Mr Mills has been a board member since 8 December, 2023. He will succeed Dr Julianne Jaques, who has been acting chair since Rosheen Garnon left the role on 31 March.
Andrew Mills has been appointed as acting chair of the Board of Taxation. Laura Sham has been promoted to Deputy Commissioner, Data and Regulatory Transformation (DART) and Enabling Services in the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. Photos: LinkedIn.
Administrators for external territories sought
The Australian Government has started the selection process to appoint an Administrator for Norfolk Island and Administrator for Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands (the Indian Ocean Territories).
Administrators are the Australian Government’s most senior representatives in the external territories. The role carries out key statutory, civic and ceremonial duties on behalf of the Australian Government, and supports delivery of services that reflect local priorities.
They also act as a key conduit between the Australian Government and local communities.
Through this selection process, the Australian Government is seeking individuals with the leadership, judgment and resilience to help deliver on government priorities and guide Norfolk Island and the Indian Ocean Territories into the future.
Candidates should be committed to community engagement, respectful and understanding of local culture and capable of delivering tangible outcomes in partnership with residents, stakeholders and all levels of government.
The current Administrator of Norfolk Island, George Plant, and the Administrator of the Indian Ocean Territories, Farzian Zainal, are able to reapply.
Regional Development, Local Government and Territories Minister Kristy McBain said Administrators were more than senior representatives of the Australian Government; they were trusted partners with, and in, the community.
“I thank Mr Plant and Ms Zainal for their leadership and commitment to their roles,” she said.
“Both have strong relationships with their communities and I’m pleased to confirm they will be eligible to apply as part of this open, merit-based process.”
States and territories
The Victorian Government has announced the appointment of Cathy Henderson as the new chief executive officer of WorkSafe Victoria.
Ms Henderson most recently served as CEO of Merri-bek City Council, and has previously held senior roles at the City of Darebin and City of Port Phillip, and at Waverley Council in New South Wales.
Kate Houghton has been appointed as the new Secretary to lead the Victorian Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA).
Troy Ayres has been appointed as the Queensland Academy of Sport’s inaugural CEO, after acting in the role since the academy became independent on 1 July.
The Queensland Government has announced new appointments to Queensland Treasury Corporation’s Capital Markets Board. They are Steve Johnston as a member from 1 October and as chair from 1 January, 2026, Tricia Ho-Hudson as a member from 1 October, Karina Kwan as a board member from 1 November, and Berkeley Cox as a board member from 1 November.
The NSW Government has announced the appointment of Mal Lanyon as the Commissioner of the NSW Police Force from 1 October for a five-year term, to succeed Karen Webb, who recently resigned.
Mr Lanyon has served in NSW Police Force senior command positions in field operations and the State Crime Command, and has held leadership roles in major disaster response and recovery operations, including as CEO of the NSW Reconstruction Authority.
Former Chief of Army Lieutenant General Rick Burr (Ret’d) has been appointed as the new chair of South Australia’s Defence SA Advisory Board to succeed Vice Admiral Russ Crane (Ret’d), while former chief executive and general manager of Northrop Grumman Australia Christine Zeitz has also joined the board to succeed Merv Davis. Steve Ludlam, Air Vice-Marshal Cath Roberts (Ret’d) and Major General Kathryn Toohey (Ret’d) have been reappointed as members.
