Grace Yan (left) has been promoted to Assistant Commissioner Enabling Services in the National Disability Insurance Scheme Quality and Safeguards Commission. Miamh Lenagh-Maguire has been promoted to Deputy Chief Solicitor — Constitutional Litigation in the office of the Australian Government Solicitor. Photos: LinkedIn & AGS.
A breakdown of the latest appointments and moves in the Australian Public Service, the public services of the states and territories, and the wider public sector.
APS Senior Executive Service
Band 1
Natalie Sawczak has been appointed as Assistant Secretary Future Estate Transition Planning and Engagement in the Department of Defence.
Grace Yan has been promoted to Assistant Commissioner Enabling Services in the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Quality and Safeguards Commission.
Band 2
Niamh Lenagh-Maguire has been promoted to Deputy Chief Solicitor — Constitutional Litigation in the office of the Australian Government Solicitor.
Hew Atkin, Malcolm Southwell and Edwina Johnson have been promoted to division heads in the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW).
Marianna O’Gorman (left) has been appointed as chair of the ARENA Board. Katherine Jones has been reappointed as Secretary of the Attorney-General’s Department for an additional three years. Photos: LinkedIn & Attorney-General’s Department.
Other federal appointments
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced the reappointment of Katherine Jones as Secretary of the Attorney-General’s Department for an additional three years.
Ms Jones was first appointed Secretary of the Attorney-General’s Department for five years on 16 August, 2021. In a statement, Mr Albanese described Ms Jones as “the Indigenous Champion for the Australian Public Service”.
“During her time as Secretary, Ms Jones has led significant reforms to improve Australia’s law, justice, security and integrity systems,” Mr Albanese said.
“Prior to her current position, she held a variety of senior executive roles, including as Associate Secretary of the Department of Defence, Deputy Secretary in the Department of Finance, and Deputy Secretary in the Attorney-General’s Department.”
The Federal Government has announced new appointments to the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) Board. Marianna O’Gorman has been appointed as chair of the ARENA Board to succeed Justin Punch, while Elizabeth O’Leary has been named as deputy chair. Both appointments are for three-year terms from 18 July. Other new board appointments include Kobad Bhavnagri and Lara Olsen, while Ruby Heard and Dr Dean Travers have been reappointed for three-year terms from 23 July.
Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen said the appointments would strengthen ARENA’s role in driving Australia’s net-zero transition. “I congratulate Ms O’Gorman as chair and Ms O’ Leary as deputy chair, and the new and reappointed members to the ARENA Board. These appointments bring world-class expertise in renewable energy, investment and corporate governance to help ARENA continue backing the technologies and industries that will deliver cheaper energy, stronger regional economies and more Australian jobs.”
The Federal Government has appointed Stuart Hocking and Elizabeth Dibbs as new part-time non-executive members of the National Capital Authority Board for five-year terms.
Ms Dibbs currently serves as deputy chair of the Audit and Risk Committee for the ACT City Renewal Authority, and is chair of the Audit and Risk Committee and a member of the Investment Committee for the National Portrait Gallery of Australia. Mr Hocking previously served as Under Treasurer at ACT Treasury, serves as chair of the Transport and Civil Infrastructure Board within the ACT Government, and operates a sole-trader consultancy.
Vice Admiral Mark Hammond was promoted to Admiral and officially took the reins as Chief of the Australian Defence Force on 9 July from Admiral David Johnston. On 8 July, Lieutenant General Susan Coyle took over as Chief of the Australian Army from Lieutenant General Simon Stuart. On 7 July, Air Vice Marshal Glen Braz was promoted to Air Marshal and succeeded General Susan Coyle as Chief of Joint Capabilities, while Vice Admiral Matthew Buckley succeeded Vice Admiral Hammond as Chief of the Royal Australian Navy.
(From left) Admiral David Johnston hands over command of the Australian Defence Force to Admiral Mark Hammond. Air Marshal Glen Braz takes over as Chief of Joint Capabilities from Lieutenant General Susan Coyle. Photos: Kym Smith & CPL Maddison Scott. ADF.
(From left) Lieutenant General Susan Coyle takes command of the Australian Army from Lieutenant General Simon Stuart. Vice Admiral Mark Hammond hands over command of the Royal Australian Navy to Vice Admiral Matthew Buckley. Photos: Kym Smith & Rodney Braithwaite.
States and territories
NT Children’s Commissioner Shahleena Musk has stepped down from her role, over what she described as “substantial and wide-reaching changes to child protection laws” planned by the Territory. In a statement, she said her decision had “not been made lightly”, and that it reflected her concerns over a lack of transparency and consultation.
The Inaugural Stadiums Tasmania CEO James Avery has announced he is leaving the position to become CEO of the GWS Giants AFL team, effective 4 October. Acting Tasmanian Premier Brigit Archer thanked Mr Avery for his “leadership during the planning phase of the Macquarie Point Multipurpose Stadium, for the significant infrastructure upgrades he has overseen, and for his diligent work on content planning”.
The Queensland Government has appointed Michael Drane as Director-General of the Department of Youth Justice and Victim Support for a five-year term from 10 July. Mr Drane has been acting in the role since January, and has previously served as Deputy Director-General, senior executive director Youth Detention Operations and Reform, and executive director of the Brisbane Youth Detention Centre.
The NSW Government has appointed Hannah Damkar as the state’s first independent Victims of Crime Commissioner. The new Commissioner will advocate for the rights of victim-survivors of crime and drive reforms to improve their experience of the justice system by identifying systemic issues and advocating for measures that deliver better outcomes.
The Western Australian Government has appointed Cassandra Winzar as Infrastructure WA’s new deputy chair, and Hamish Beck and Jenet Connell as board members.
Western Australian Minister for Police, Corrective Services, Racing and Gaming, Defence Industry, and Veterans’ Issues Paul Papalia announced his immediate retirement from Parliament on 7 July due to a family member’s serious illness.
