Millar new Head at ABC
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) has announced the appointment of Rachel Millar as the new Head of Entertainment, overseeing programs such as Hard Quiz, The Weekly with Charlie Pickering, Gruen and the Fresh Blood comedy initiative.
Acting Head of Entertainment since 7 August, Ms Millar (pictured) takes up the position with the ABC Content division effective immediately joining Head of Scripted, Rachel Okine; Head of Factual, Susie Jones; Head of Children’s and Family, Libbie Doherty; and Head of Arts, Music and Events, Kath Earle.
Rachel Millar joined the ABC in 2021.
Two new faces at ACIAR
Two new members of the Commission for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) have been announced with five commissioners appointed for a second term.
Dr Michelle Freeman and Ms Lukina Lukin have joined the Commission with Fiona Simson (pictured) appointed for a second 3-year term as Chair and Dr Beth Woods, Professor Lindsay Falvey and Tony York appointed for a second term.
Recently appointed ACIAR CEO Professor Wendy Umberger has also been appointed as a Commissioner.
Outgoing Commissioners Su McCluskey and Dr Sasha Courville were thanked for their two terms of service and their ongoing commitment to sustainable agricultural development.
Blight for INSLM
Jake Blight has been appointed the next Independent National Security Legislation Monitor (INSLM).
After 10 years as Deputy Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security Mr Blight (pictured) will commence with INSLM on 26 November 2023.
He replaces Grant Donaldson at INSLM.
The INSLM was established in 2010 to independently review the operation, effectiveness and implications of national security and counter-terrorism laws.
Skinner to leave Services Australia
The Chief Executive Officer of Services Australia, Rebecca Skinner PSM is to resign from the Australian Public Service (APS) on 29 September.
Ms Skinner (pictured) has been CEO of Services Australia since 16 March 2020.
Services Australia employs more than 28,500 staff, will process $219.5 billion in payments, while handling 1.1 billion online transactions and 55 million customer calls.
In her APS career of 30 years, Ms Skinner held roles at the Department of Defence and served in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and in the Attorney General’s portfolio.
An acting CEO will be appointed in the Department and normal processes followed to find a new CEO.
Larsen to New York
James Larsen has been named as Australia’s next Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN) in New York.
The UN is the forum where the world has agreed to come together to solve our biggest problems.
Mr Larsen is a senior officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and has previously served overseas as Ambassador to Türkiye and Ambassador to Israel, with previous postings in Belgium and Thailand.
He served most recently as a Deputy Secretary in the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.
Ambassador and Permanent Representative Mitch Fifield was thanked for contributions to advancing Australia’s interests at the UN in New York since 2019.
Mosely to Mexico
Rachel Moseley has been named Australia’s next Ambassador to Mexico.
Ms Moseley will also be accredited to Costa Rica, Cuba, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama and the Dominican Republic.
She is a senior officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and was most recently Assistant Secretary, Latin America and Eastern Europe Branch.
She has served overseas in Mexico, Papua New Guinea, and Australia’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Geneva.
The present Chargé d’Affaires, Patricia Holmes, has advanced Australia’s interests in the region.
Flanagan to Qatar
Shane Flanagan has been announced Australia’s next Ambassador to Qatar.
Mr Flanagan is an officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and was most recently Director of the Southern, Central and West Africa Section.
He has previously served overseas as Deputy Head of Mission in Afghanistan and Zimbabwe, with earlier postings to Indonesia and Japan.
Ambassador Jonathan Muir is to leave the position after advancing Australia’s interests in Qatar since 2019.
Skelly to Malta
Matt Skelly has been named Australia’s next High Commissioner to Malta where he will be accredited to Tunisia.
Mr Skelly is an officer of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and most recently served as Director of the Eastern Europe and Western Balkans Section.
He has served overseas as Deputy Head of Mission in Spain, Iraq and South Africa and replaces outgoing High Commissioner Jenny Cartmill who has served in Malta since 2020.
Jessup to Maldives
David Jessup has been appointed Australia’s first resident High Commissioner to the Republic of Maldives.
Mr Jessup is an officer of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and has previously served overseas in Sweden, Thailand and the United States.
High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Paul Stephens, has looked after Australia’s interests in the Maldives since 2022 as non-resident High Commissioner. He will remain Australia’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka.
Garlick to Tuvalu
Brenton Garlick has been named Australia’s next High Commissioner to Tuvalu.
Mr Garlick is a Kamilaroi man from northern New South Wales, and most recently served as Assistant Director of the Solomon Islands Economic and Development Section of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
He has previously worked at the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islands Studies (AIATSIS) and the Australian Trade and Investment Commission.
Former High Commissioner Robin McKenzie OAM is appreciated for his contributions to advancing Australia’s interests in Tuvalu since 2021.
