Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has marked Australia Day 2020 by bestowing official honours on a wide range of dedicated and committed public service professionals serving the Australian community over and above the requirements of their positions in the public sector.
Her Majesty’s awards, presented under the Order of Australia, were released in Canberra by the Governor-General, General David Hurley on Australia Day.
The Australian Public Service employees honoured by the Queen this year, including those receiving the Public Service Medal (PSM), were:
OFFICER IN THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA (AO)
Linley Margaret MARTIN AO
Tertiary Education Quality Standards Agency
For distinguished service to education, particularly to student equity, educational standards and academic administration.
Dr Martin has been a Commissioner of the Tertiary Education Quality Standards Agency since 2015.
Brian Harrison WALKER AO
CSIRO
For distinguished service to science, particularly to ecosystem ecology and research, and to professional scientific bodies.
Dr Walker has been an honorary research fellow in CSIRO’s Division of Wildlife and Ecology since 2006.
MEMBER OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA (AM)
Kenneth Peter BAXTER AM
Productivity Commission
For significant service to public administration, and to agricultural reform.
Mr Baxter has been a part-time Commissioner at the Productivity Commission since 2015.
Kim GILLIS AM
Department of Defence
For significant service to public administration, and to defence projects.
Mr Gillis was Deputy Secretary, Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group at the Department of Defence from 2015 to 2018.
Gael JENNINGS AM
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
For significant service to science, and to the broadcast media.
Dr Jennings was national science and medical reporter on ABC TV News from 1986 to 1988 and ‘7.30 Report’ from 1992 to 1996.
Robyn Margaret SEXTON AM
Federal Court
For significant service to the law, and to the judiciary.
Ms Sexton was a Judge of the Federal Circuit Court of Australia from 2004 to 2018 and founder of the Court’s Indigenous List in Sydney in 2016.
Julie Anne STEINER AM
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
For significant service to business through a range of roles.
Ms Steiner has been General Manager/Divisional Director of the Corporation’s ABC Enterprises for the past 10 years.
Mathew Ansel TRINCA AM
National Museum of Australia
For significant service to the museums and galleries sector.
Dr Trinca has been Director of the National Museum of Australia in Canberra since 2014.
Robyn WILLIAMS AM AO
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
For distinguished service to science as a journalist, radio presenter and author, and to education.
Dr Robyn Williams has been a science journalist and presenter on ABC Radio National since 1972.
PUBLIC SERVICE MEDAL (PSM)
Nguyen Thi Thanh AN PSM
Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR).
For outstanding public service in fostering the Australia-Vietnam bilateral relationship in agricultural research.
Since 2007, Ms An has been responsible for stewarding a program of research collaboration between Australia through ACIAR and the Government of Vietnam.
She has developed key relationships between Vietnam and other Australian Government agencies to craft the Australia in Vietnam Agricultural Strategy and has played a role cementing the Australia-Vietnam relationship by cross-cultural communication and the sharing of information.
The Government of Vietnam now better understands the ACIAR program and values its contribution to the country’s agricultural development.
Ms An has also been instrumental in advising Australia’s Ambassador to Vietnam to upgrade the Australia-Vietnam bilateral relationship to a strategic partnership.
Karen Jacqueline BINNEKAMP PSM
Department of Health
For outstanding public service to health, particularly through improvements to listings on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, and subsidy of breakthrough medical treatments.
Ms Binnekamp has been instrumental in having the latest innovative therapies subsidised by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), in particular the public listing of a key HIV prevention drug, and the public subsidy of a new therapy to fight blood related cancers.
Ms Binnekamp worked closely with the Medical Services Advisory Committee (MSAC) on the public funding of Car-T cell therapy, leading a team that developed a unique package of payment and risk sharing that reduced the upfront cost.
Ms Binnekamp is focused on the needs of the patient, driving her to provide strong quality evidence to health committees and, as a result, has achieved positive outcomes for patients and optimum value for the Australian Government.
Penny DAMIANAKIS PSM
Services Australia
For outstanding public service through leading the provision of Centrelink services to vulnerable customers and refugee communities.
Mrs Damianakis is a leader and innovator in customer service delivery in Centrelink and Medicare Centres, transforming the way services are delivered for individuals experiencing vulnerability.
She has been an advocate for culturally and linguistically diverse communities, successfully implementing national programs including the ‘Better Futures, Local Solutions’ initiative.
Her direct collaboration with refugee agencies resulted in a policy supporting the need of migrants and refugees, encouraging their independence and productive participation in the community.
Ms Damianakis’ involvement over an extended period has impacted in the lives of many Australians by providing pathways to employment, education and independence.
Michael James DRUCE PSM
Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO)
For outstanding public service to nuclear medicine production.
Mr Druce has led critical improvements to the large production of radioisotopes for medical imaging for over 40 years. His scientific skills, innovation and business management has transformed ANSTO’s ability to supply nuclear medicine products, resulting in Australia becoming one of the top four global distributors in the world.
He has played a key role in the growth and operation of ANSTO’s nuclear health business and making it the global leader in the use of proliferation-resistant low enriched uranium for Mo-99 production.
Mr Druce’s vision, tenacity, acumen and commercial drive has helped to deliver a global role for Australia in nuclear medicine.
David Roland FREDERICKS PSM
Department of Finance
For outstanding public service through supporting the Government in achieving fiscal and budget policy objectives, and significant reforms in the Attorney-General’s Department.
Mr Fredericks has extensive experience in government and has developed a deep understanding of the fiscal environment and the challenges associated with managing the national economy and has led a number of significant reforms for the Attorney-General’s Department.
These included reforming of the National Partnership Agreement on Legal Services and administrative reforms to the federal courts, Administrative Appeals Tribunal and Australian Government Solicitor.
He has led the Department to enhance its framework for managing the Budget process, creating better approaches to decision making, and has been a key collaborator as a member of the Defence Investment Committee which has overseen the provision of Defence capabilities.
Matthew Roland HILL PSM
CSIRO
For outstanding public service to materials development for industry and the Australian Defence Force.
Associate Professor Hill is an internationally recognised expert in design, synthesis and characterisation of nanomaterials. He leads a multi-disciplinary team discovering and developing materials known as Metal Organic Frameworks (MOFs).
He has built his research program at CSIRO and Monash University producing commercial, production scale materials for practical use.
His research places Australia at the forefront of technologies for toxic industrial chemicals respiratory protection and has attracted $24.5M of investment across 43 separate projects.
He has shared his research findings through 104 journal articles, 13 patents (with 2 licences granted), and 33 industry reports and has received awards for innovation including the Prime Minister’s Prize for Science in 2014.
Dale Austin LAMBERT PSM
Defence Science and Technology
For outstanding public service in the use of artificial intelligence in surveillance and reconnaissance, command and control, intelligence and autonomous platforms.
Dr Lambert is a world-leading scientist in high-level information fusion. His work has been instrumental in the formulation of the Cyber Influence and Data Analytics program as part of the Cyber 2020 Vision strategic document.
Information fusion is the process of integrating multiple data sources to produce more consistent, accurate, and useful information than can be provided by a single data source.
He has successfully led research programs and made innovative contributions with his conceptual framework for high-level fusion processes and is credited with the design of the CONSENSUS artificial intelligence (AI) architecture, one of the world’s most comprehensive AI frameworks.
During 27 years in Defence science, he has been a leader in driving AI and analysis capabilities.
Dr Lambert’s work shapes new science and technology programs and influences important international partners.
Adam LEWIS PSM
Geoscience Australia
For outstanding public service through the application of geospatial information.
Dr Lewis’ leadership over a sustained period has transformed the way spatial data is organised, prepared and analysed, leading to changes in the way images are recorded by satellites in Australia.
Since 2004 he has transformed Geoscience Australia’s earth and marine observation function into a globally recognised capability.
He has been involved in the design and development of data technology called Digital Earth Australia which provides the Australian Government with the data to monitor the environment and increase productivity in the agricultural and mining industries. He was also instrumental in establishing the Open Data Cube.
Through Dr Lewis’s leadership and innovation Australia now leads the world in the analysis and delivery of modern satellite remote sensing data.
Helen Maree McDEVITT PSM
Department of Social Services
For outstanding public service through social policy innovation to improve the lives of disadvantaged Australians, particularly young persons and people with a disability.
Ms McDevitt has been key to the policy, design and implementation of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). She was critical to achieving the transitional and full scheme agreement between the Commonwealth and the states and territories, providing certainty for the scheme in supporting people with a disability, their families and carers.
She has a passion for improving the NDIS and the lives of people with a disability and throughout her public service career has contributed to significant developments in health policy.
Ms McDevitt’s work has made a significant contribution to improving social inclusion and workforce participation for the disadvantaged in the community.
Mark Patrick O’CONNELL PSM
Department of Defence
For outstanding public service through leading engagement with communities affected by PFAS contamination from legacy Defence firefighting activities.
Mr O’Connell has led the engagement with communities impacted by Per- and Poly-
Fluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) contamination emanating from Defence bases arising from legacy firefighting activities, including the contamination of ground water.
As Director of Investigation and Community Engagement, he has helped shape the whole-of-Government policy response to PFAS contamination concerns and has been instrumental in the development of the Department of Defence’s national PFAS Investigation and Management program.
Mr O’Connell’s exceptional public service has helped to improve the outcomes for communities affected by PFAS contamination which has made a material difference to many lives.
Nico PADOVAN PSM
Prime Minister and Cabinet
For outstanding public service in program and policy delivery, including supporting the recovery and reconstruction of the livestock industry in North Queensland.
Mr Padovan has served in the Australian Public Service for over 19 years following 16 years of military service. His experience extends across a number of Australian government departments including the then Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, where most recently, he was responsible for national biosecurity and quarantine operations.
He is currently Deputy CEO and COO of the North Queensland Livestock Industry Recovery Agency, playing a role in the recovery and reconstruction of the area after the monsoonal rain event that devastated North Queensland in February 2019. He has provided exceptional leadership in the aftermath of the flooding event, which saw the destruction of livestock, agricultural operations and infrastructure across more than 15,000 square kilometres.
Julie Anne ROBERTS PSM
Office of National Intelligence
For outstanding public service through exceptional delivery of executive support services to the national security community.
Ms Roberts has provided high quality executive support to senior public servants throughout her career of over 30 years. She is a consummate professional with personal integrity, drive and commitment of the highest standards.
Her highly developed communication skills, and ability to prosecute her work with a deep understanding of its broader context, has ensured the business of the day, be it intelligence matters, foreign and diplomatic crises, or defence and security issues is resolved.
Ms Roberts, through her professionalism, composure and collaborative efforts, has worked with the intelligence community to successfully triage significant national issues, regardless of the complexity or sensitivity of the situation.
Albin Frank SMRDEL PSM
Attorney-General’s Department
For outstanding public service in reforming the corporate arrangements of the federal courts, and structural reform for the Australian family courts system.
Dr Smrdel has been the key policy architect in the development of innovative approaches to structural reform to improve court efficiency in the family law jurisdiction.
The changes to corporate arrangements have led to a reduction of duplication, improved long-term financial sustainability and better delivery of court services for the Australian community and delivered more efficient allocation of Commonwealth resources.
Robert STURGISS PSM
Environment and Energy
For outstanding public service through the development of a world class inventory for greenhouse gases, and to accurate measuring and reporting of emissions for Australian companies.
Mr Sturgiss has shown commitment to the development of systems that accurately measure and report greenhouse gases in Australia and globally.
The inventory he developed is foundational to tracking emissions and supporting the global effort to address climate change.
He has personally driven sustained partnerships with other organisations, such as CSIRO and Geoscience Australia to find faster, more accurate ways to process greenhouse gas data.
He is highly respected by domestic and international stakeholders for his extensive knowledge and expertise and was selected as a member of the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
Damian John VOLTZ PSM
Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission
For outstanding public service through efforts to protect Australian sport from the threat of match-fixing, corruption and criminal exploitation.
Mr Voltz is an internationally recognised authority on the development of initiatives and capability to ensure sport is protected from the threat of match-fixing, corruption and criminal exploitation. He has been central to the creation of the Sports Betting Integrity Unit (SBIU) within the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC).
He has provided key advice to the Wood’s Review of Sports Integrity Arrangements which helped reshape Australia’s sports integrity framework and capabilities and key to the development of an internationally recognised Sports Integrity Threat Assessment Matrix.
He is highly respected in the international community.
Through his dedication and commitment, Mr Voltz has forged a unique connection between sports integrity policy and the application of law enforcement powers to detect and defeat sports corruption.
Lesley WATSON PSM
Foreign Affairs and Trade
For outstanding public service through contributions to agency organisation and functioning, and to Australia’s national security.
Ms Watson has made an instrumental contribution to improving the performance and functioning of organisations contributing to national security, and to advancing the safety and well-being of staff serving overseas.
In addition, her work developing related policy and guidelines has meaningfully improved agency integrity, and governance.
Throughout Ms Watson’s career in the Foreign Affairs and Trade portfolio, she has displayed the highest levels of integrity, professionalism and dedication to the public interest.
AUSTRALIAN POLICE MEDAL (APM)
Assistant Commissioner Lesa Jane GALE APM
Assistant Commissioner Gale joined the Australian Federal Police (AFP) in 1987 later commencing with Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Policing where her career has been largely dedicated to Child Protection and Victim Based Crime.
She has pioneered pathways for International Law Enforcement Organisations to adopt a collaborative, whole-of-government approach to child exploitation,human trafficking and slavery-related matters.
She has held senior roles in ACT Policing South District, ACT Policing Criminal Investigations, Learning and Development, High Tech and Cyber Crime Operations and Victims of Crime Liaison, and is currently the Assistant Commissioner of Protection Operations.
Superintendent Jared Gordon TAGGART APM
Superintendent Taggart joined the Australian Federal Police (AFP) in 1999, later posted to Eastern Region Response and then Intelligence, Sydney.
In 2002, he assisted in the AFP response to the Bali Bombings and in 2003 assisted in the bushfires which affected the ACT region. He has completed numerous overseas postings throughout the South-East Asia region since 2004 working with local authorities and policing agencies to intercept and disrupt large scale illegal narcotic operations.
Superintendent Taggart has served the AFP, and the local and international community, with distinction for over 20 years.
Detective Superintendent Danielle Anne WOODWARD OAM APM
Detective Superintendent Woodward joined the Australian Federal Police (AFP) in Sydney in 1986.
She is trained in Surveillance Operations, a qualified Operational Safety Instructor, and a Family Investigation Liaison Officer.
She has made a significant contribution to overseas policing operations including the downing of MH17 over Ukraine, and in East Timor and is currently seconded as a visiting Fellow to the Royal New Zealand Police College where she is providing advice and working to identify opportunities for continuous improvement, new and emerging innovations, and different approaches for the Royal New Zealand Police College to consider.
Detective Superintendent Woodward has served the AFP, and the local and international community, with distinction for over 33 years.
AUSTRALIAN FIRE SERVICE MEDAL (AFSM)
Christopher Charles GOFF AFSM
Mr Goff joined the Department of Civil Aviation (a precursor organisation to the Aviation Rescue Fire Fighting Services (ARFFS) a division of Airservices Australia) in 1974. He has maintained a continuous service with ARFFS for the past 45 years.
He has served as a Station Officer since 1982 and has seen duty at ARFFS locations at Bankstown, Canberra, Camden, Dubbo, Norfolk Island and Sydney where he has been stationed since 1989.
He has attended over 2300 operational responses as the ARFFS officer-in-charge, and it is estimated he has attended over 5000 operational incidents during his service period.
Mr Goff has shown exemplary service and professional leadership over his 45-year career.
