A breakdown of the latest appointments in the Australian Public Service and across the public services of the states and territories.
APS Senior Executive Service
Band 1
Samantha Robertson is now general manager for resources and tax incentives at the Department of Industry, Science and Resources (DISR), while Joanna Stone has been promoted to general manager for external budgets and costings.
Sian Coidan has been appointed as an assistant director of public prosecutions.
Meanwhile, at the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), Julia Webb and Kelly Norwood have been elevated to assistant commissioners for, respectively, engagement and assurance, and debt assistance and frontline services.
Band 2
Patricia Holmes, James Fisher and Ralph King have been made first assistant secretaries at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
Other federal
Rosemary Huxtable to develop nation’s health and medical research strategy
Federal Health Minister Mark Butler has appointed Rosemary Huxtable AO PSM to develop the National Health and Medical Research Strategy.
The strategy is expected to fill any gaps in the research sector, but also aims to attract researchers and investors while building workforce capacity.
Ms Huxtable’s experience as the Secretary of the Department of Finance, and her deep understanding of health and aged-care policy, have convinced the government she will be equipped to manage this complex, large-scale initiative.
Her tenure in the role is set to begin later this year, with a webinar to be held with the health and medical research sector on 5 December. The government expects her draft strategy by 30 June, 2025, and a final strategy by the end of next year.
Rosemary Huxtable also served as Deputy Secretary of the Department of Health and Aged Care from 2009-2013. Photo: IPAA.
Farewell to outgoing NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto
Federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King has thanked the outgoing National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) chief executive officer (CEO) Sal Petroccitto OAM for his service to the role over more than a decade.
On 24 January next year, Mr Petroccitto is wrapping up his time at the national regulator where he has adopted an ”inform, educate, enforce” approach to its compliance activities. This has allowed NHVR to work collaboratively with the industry to support policies and initiatives that advance heavy-vehicle safety outcomes.
Under Sal Petroccitto, the NHVR has delivered more than $41 million in government funding to 169 projects for the Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative since it began in 2016. Photo: ATA.
Karen Mundine joins the National Museum of Australia Council
The Federal Government has appointed Karen Mundine and reappointed Natasha Bowness to the National Museum of Australia Council, each for a three-year term.
Ms Mundine has been the CEO of Reconciliation Australia since 2017, but currently sits on several boards, including Australians for Indigenous Constitutional Recognition. She worked on the National Apology in 2008, Corroboree in 2000, and the 1997 and 2021 Australian Reconciliation Conventions.
Ms Bowness is currently the deputy chair of the National Museum of Australia Council and chairs its Audit, Finance and Risk Committee. She also sits as the director and chair of Wilbow Group and chair of the Bowness Family Foundation, which focuses on providing access and opportunity in arts and culture, disability and education.
Karen Mundine is also on the Board of Directors for the Sydney Festival. Photo: Reconciliation Australia.
Commonwealth establishes Genomics Australia
The Federal Government is establishing a new national body to provide leadership, coordination and expertise on genomics research and technologies.
Genomic medicine uses a person’s own DNA to better identify disease risks, prevent illness, make earlier diagnoses and personalise treatment. Genomics Australia will be focused on translating breakthroughs in this field to deliver better health outcomes in patients’ everyday care.
Among its priorities is to improve access to personalised cancer care, and update the National Health Genomics Policy Framework. It will operate within the Department of Health and Aged Care, with a commissioner who will provide expert advice to the government on health genomics.
More than $30 million has been dedicated to the body for its first four years of operation, and the commissioner will be supported by expert advisory committees. These committees will comprise researchers, clinicians, industry, consumers and First Nations people.
States and Territories
Commissioner appointed to lead NSW SES
NSW Emergency Services Minister Jihad Dib has appointed Michael Wassing as a new Commissioner of the NSW State Emergency Services (SES).
The SES is the lead emergency service agency in NSW for floods, storms and tsunamis, providing support for communities through more than 11,000 volunteers operating from a network of 260-plus sites across NSW. The SES works closely with other emergency service agencies and also provides road accident, search and rescue support when needed.
Mr Wassing was most recently the Deputy Commissioner of Queensland’s Reconstruction Authority. Before that, he served as Deputy Commissioner at Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES), leading the Readiness and Response Service and Fire Rescue Service from May 2022 to November 2023, and the State Emergency Service and Rural Fire Service from September 2015 to May 2022.
Earlier in his career, Michael Wassing served in various senior leadership roles in Victoria’s emergency services. Photo: Facebook.
Former Olympian to lead Victorian Institute of Sport
Three-time Olympian Nicole Livingstone OAM has taken the reins as CEO of the Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS), becoming only the third person to assume the role in its 34-year history.
Victorian Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos welcomed her back to the VIS as its new CEO after a seven-year period at the AFL, where she was general manager of women’s football.
In 1990, Ms Livingstone was one of the first athletes to be granted a scholarship through the VIS in swimming. Following her time there, she won a bronze medal at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and bronze and silver at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
New VIS CEO Nicole Livingstone has taken over from Anne Marie Harrison, who stepped down last month after leading the organisation for 18 years. Photo: Ministry of Sport.
Queensland CHO John Gerrard to step down
Dr John Gerrard will leave his role as Queensland’s Chief Health Officer next month, with an interim appointee to take over after his exit.
Dr Gerrard took over from Jeannette Young in 2021 when the Queensland borders opened in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, but will now return to full-time clinical duties at Gold Coast University Hospital.
Among his achievements in the position was in responding to the Sunshine State’s record influenza outbreaks and keeping social media platforms accountable for published content given to young people.
Dr John Gerrard’s career includes helping in the response to the 2014 Ebola outbreak in Africa and leading clinical work on malaria vaccine trials. Photo: Wikimedia.
Queensland Government announces Tourism Cabinet Committee
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli has unveiled members of the newly established Tourism Cabinet Committee, which is expected to boost productivity and delivery in the state’s sector.
A two-decade strategy will be a core focus of the committee, which will monitor the development, delivery and reviews of business cases for major tourism proposals. The members are:
- Minister for Environment and Tourism, and Science and Innovation Andrew Powell (chair)
- Deputy Premier, Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning, and Industrial Relations Jarrod Bleijie
- Minister for Natural Resources and Mines, Manufacturing, and Regional and Rural Development Dale Last
- Minister for Olympic and Paralympic Games Tim Mander
- Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg
- Minister for Local Government and Water, and Disaster Recovery and Volunteers Ann Leahy.
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli said the Tourism Cabinet Committee would “allow us to drive over the roadblocks that have left tourism at a standstill”. Photo: Facebook.
WA Under Treasurer to lead response on GST reforms
The Western Australian Government has announced its Under Treasurer Michael Barnes will lead the state’s response to an upcoming Productivity Commission Review of the GST reforms.
He is expected to take up this new role when his current term as Under Treasurer expires in April following 11 years in the position and 27 years at the Department of Treasury.
Mr Barnes played a key role in the last GST review, in 2018, and has been credited with restoring WA’s triple-A credit rating from both major credit rating agencies.
From May next year he will be expected to make the case for WA retaining its share of the GST, while the Public Sector Commission is set to begin a recruitment process for the next Under Treasurer following the state election.
WA Under Treasurer Michael Barnes said any changes to the current GST distribution arrangements had the potential to “significantly undermine” the state’s financial position. Photo: WATC.
Sam Abbott to be South Australia’s integrity watchdog
Barrister Sam Abbott KC has been appointed to a key role in South Australia’s integrity framework for three years.
Mr Abbott has been appointed Inspector, with oversight of complaints relating to the Independent Commission Against Corruption, the Office of Public Integrity and the Ombudsman.
He replaces outgoing Acting Inspector Stephen Plummer and succeeds the inaugural Inspector Philip Strickland SC.
Over nearly three decades, Mr Abbott has worked in private practice in the fields of criminal, civil, commercial, military and appellate law.
