Charles McHardie has been appointed as Chief Information Officer (CIO) at the Reserve Bank of Australia. Keara Shaw (centre) has been promoted to Assistant Secretary, Policy and Program Management in DFAT. Nicolle Reynolds has been appointed as a part‑time business member of the Companies Auditors Disciplinary Board (CADB). Photos: Screenshot, DFAT and LinkedIn.
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
Adam Pullman has been appointed as Assistant Secretary, Armoured Fighting Vehicles in the Department of Defence.
Keara Shaw has been promoted to Assistant Secretary, Policy and Program Management in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). Ms Shaw was announced in July as Australia’s next High Commissioner to Ghana.
Other federal appointments
The Federal Government has appointed Nicolle Reynolds as a part‑time business member of the Companies Auditors Disciplinary Board (CADB), and has reappointed Howard Insall SC as part‑time chairperson and Angela Pearsall as a part‑time business member, all for three‑year terms.
The CADB is an independent statutory body established under Part 11 of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act 2001. It helps maintain confidence in Australia’s auditing profession by considering applications from the Australian Securities and Investments Commission and the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority relating to the conduct of registered company auditors.
The government says Ms Reynolds brings significant leadership, governance and financial management expertise to the board, having held senior roles across the public sector and financial services, including as COO of the South Australian Department of Treasury and Finance and CEO of the Public Trustee.
Charles McHardie has been appointed as Chief Information Officer (CIO) at the Reserve Bank of Australia effective from late September, succeeding Stephen Smith, who retired in June. The CIO is responsible for leading the RBA’s IT function and delivering its technology services.
Mr McHardie comes to the RBA from Services Australia, where he served as its Chief Information and Digital Officer (CIDO) since early 2022.
He has also served at the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and the Department of Defence. Before joining the APS, he served in the Royal Australian Navy, where he was made a Member of the Order of Australia for services to naval warfare in the fields of ICT and intelligence.
Mr McHardie will be replaced at Services Australia by Claire Roennfeldt, who will take on the interim CIDO responsibilities.
States and territories
New Victorian Premier Ben Carroll has announced the establishment of a Royal Commission into Victoria’s Construction Industry, and the appointment of Chris Kourakis AC as Royal Commissioner.
Mr Kourakis is a former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of South Australia and served on that court for more than 18 years. He is also a former Solicitor-General and is a Companion of the Order of Australia.
Mr Carroll described him as “a jurist of unquestioned integrity, with impartiality and an unwavering fidelity to the rule of law”. ”I chose someone independent, rigorous and fearless,” he said. “The best in Australia. Because that is what this job demands.” Mr Carroll said the royal commission would have a $50 million budget, and he has asked it to report within 12 months.
Western Australia Agriculture and Food Minister Jackie Jarvis has announced the appointment of Louise Holding as chair of the Western Australian Meat Industry Authority (WAMIA) Board.
