Ian Oppermann is a new Commissioner at the ACCC. Kendra Morony (centre) is Acting Deputy Secretary AUKUS with the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Kate Fitzgerald is the incoming CEO of the NSW Reconstruction Authority. Photos: Supplied, LinkedIn/ANU and NSW Government.
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
Timothy Lam has been chosen as the next Assistant Director-General of Program Costing for the Australian Submarine Agency.
Alexander Burns has been appointed as Assistant Secretary for the Henderson Defence Precinct with the Department of Defence.
David Pezzantine has been elevated to Assistant Commissioner of Intake and Complaints with the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission.
Sara Calautti has been chosen as Assistant Secretary/Senior Executive Lawyer with the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations.
Band 2
A Band 2 has been promoted at the Office of National Intelligence, but the name has been withheld.
Other federal appointments
Kendra Morony has been appointed Acting Deputy Secretary AUKUS at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
Ms Morony has two decades’ experience in senior Defence, intelligence, and national security roles.
The Federal Government has reappointed Anna Brakey and appointed Ian Opperman as full-time members of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).
Ms Brakey was appointed to the ACCC in December 2020 and will continue at the commission for another five-year term. She has more than 25 years’ experience working with regulators, government and the private sector.
Dr Oppermann is the outgoing Data Standards chair for Digital ID and the Consumer Data Right. He has experience in data settings, including at the International Electrotechnical Commission and Standards Australia, and was Chief Data Scientist for the NSW Government.
Janis Cocking PSM has been reappointed as a non-executive director on the ASC Pty Ltd board for a further three-year term, starting on 24 January, 2026.
Dr Cocking has been a non-executive director on the board since 2023.
Jonathan Simcock has been appointed as a non-executive director to the ASC board for a three-year term, which began on 27 November.
Mr Simcock brings extensive nuclear and large-organisation experience across government and the private sector.
The government has also appointed Alex Walsh as Acting CEO, effective 12 December.
Mr Walsh will succeed Stuart Whiley when he retires and will be Acting CEO until a process to identify a permanent CEO is concluded.
Mr Walsh is a senior executive at ASC and currently serves as Chief Nuclear and Capability Officer and chief operating officer Multi-Class Sustainment Delivery.
Finance and Public Service Minister Katy Gallagher said: “These appointments demonstrate the government’s commitment to support ASC in the sustainment of the Collins-class fleet and the sustainment and build of nuclear-powered submarines.”
The Federal Government has reappointed 11 general members to the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) for a further three-year term. Originally appointed in 2023, the reappointed members have worked on a range of cases, including social security, the National Disability Insurance Scheme, and migration and protection matters.
The reappointments to the ART as general members are:
- Dr Carolyn Graydon
- Karen Hamilton
- Deborah Laver
- Maxina Martellotta
- Maralean McCalman
- Professor Robert McLaughlin
- Natalie Purcell
- Amanda Ryding
- Raymond Smith
- Kathleen Timbs
- Justin Toohey.
“The Administrative Review Tribunal is an independent federal administrative body that reviews decisions that directly affect the everyday lives of Australians,” Attorney-General Michelle Rowland said.
“These vital reappointments support the tribunal to retain members with significant knowledge and experience to ensure cases continue to be heard in a timely and effective manner.”
Diplomatic appointments
Foreign Minister Penny Wong has named nine highly qualified individuals to lead Australia’s posts in Tallinn, Lima, Noumea, Alofi, Kathmandu, Buenos Aires, Honiara, Nicosia and our interests in the global health system.
The appointments are:
- Edmund Mortimer as Australia’s next Ambassador to Estonia
- James Yeomans as Australia’s next Ambassador to Peru. The Ambassador to Peru is also accredited to Bolivia
- Megan Bainbridge as Australia’s next Consul-General in Noumea
- Emily Pugin as Australia’s next High Commissioner to Cyprus
- Simon Ernst as Australia’s next Ambassador to Nepal
- Sarah Roberts as Australia’s next Ambassador to Argentina. The Ambassador to Argentina is also accredited to Paraguay and Uruguay
- Jeff Roach OAM as Australia’s next High Commissioner to Solomon Islands
- Paul Harrington as Australia’s next High Commissioner to Niue
- Chris Cannan as Australia’s Ambassador for Global Health.
“Australia’s diplomatic network enables us to promote our interests in peace, security, trade, investment and other areas of cooperation,” Senator Wong said.
“As we work to shape a future for the better, our diplomatic corps are fundamental to strengthening relationships and building resilience in an ever-less-stable world.
“I thank the outgoing ambassadors, high commissioners and Consul-General for their important contributions to Australian diplomacy.”
States and Territories
Queensland
Heidi Cooper and David Curd have been appointed as directors of the Community Services Industry (Portable Long-Service Leave) Authority QLeave Board.
Ms Cooper is currently the CEO of Business Chamber Queensland. She has experience as a solicitor and board director. She graduated from the Australian Institute of Company Directors, with experience in governance, corporate leadership and risk.
Mr Curd is the CEO of Multiple Sclerosis Queensland and has held numerous leadership roles, including founder, managing director, CEO and executive general manager in both government and the social services sector. He also holds an MBA.
The two new appointees will join the eight-person board until the term of the current board ends on 2 September, 2026.
NSW
Kate Fitzgerald is the incoming CEO of the NSW Reconstruction Authority, beginning on 6 February, 2026.
Ms Fitzgerald leaves the Victorian Department of Justice and Community Safety, where she has been the Deputy Secretary of Emergency Management for the past five years.
Janice Lee is a new non-executive director of the Western Sydney Airport Board.
Ms Lee has extensive experience in the consulting sector and is also currently a councillor with the Climate Council.
