Jack Simpson (left) and Cale Woods have been promoted as senior executive lawyers at the Australian Government Solicitor (AGS). Amanda Sayregh has been nominated for executive director at the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Photos: IMF and 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
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Jack Simpson, Stephen Boyle and Cale Woods have been promoted as senior executive lawyers at the Australian Government Solicitor.
Samantha Ring has been appointed Assistant Secretary Defence Digital Group (DDG) Commercial in the Department of Defence.
Christie Renton has been appointed head of the Environment Policy Branch in the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW).
Steven Berka has been promoted to Assistant Commissioner Technology (Chief Information Officer & Chief Information Security Officer) in the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Quality and Safeguards Commission.
Other federal appointments
Foreign Minister Senator Penny Wong has announced three new appointments and four reappointments to the Advisory Board of the Centre for Australia-India Relations.
Robin Khuda, Faz Pollard and Professor Veena Sahajwalla AO have been appointed to the board to succeed outgoing members Florence Drummond, Gunjan Pagare, Martin Hamilton-Smith and Sameer Kumar. The reappointments to the board are Amrit Gill, Catriona Jackson, Mitu Bhowmick Lange AM and Amit Singh.
Senator Wong said the centre worked across government, industry, academia and the community to build greater understanding of the Australia-India relationship and encourage business to seize economic opportunities. The advisory board helps set the strategic priorities for the centre’s programs and activities, supporting partnerships in business, the arts, education, health, science, technology and sport.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers has announced the Australian Government will nominate Amanda Sayegh for appointment as the executive director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and Ruth Moore for appointment as the alternate executive director at the World Bank Group, to succeed Nghi Luu and Rob Nicholl, respectively.
Ms Sayegh is currently a senior economist at the IMF, and has represented Australia internationally, including as Minister Counsellor (Economic) at the Australian Embassy in Washington. Ms Moore is currently an Assistant Secretary in the Financial System Division of the Markets Group at Treasury.
The Federal Government has appointed 14 members to the newly established Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Advisory Council.
The members will be critical in advising the government on the implementation of its National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032, including providing independent advice to the Minister for Social Services.
The members are Kate Alexander, Muriel Bamblett AO, Hayley Boxall, Leah Bromfield, Tarang Chawla, Chanel Contos, Karen Dini-Paul, Catherine Fitzpatrick, Tania Farha, Amanda-Jane George, Jen Hargrave, Kelsey Hegarty, Janet Jukes OAM and Conor Pall. The council also includes the Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commissioner Micaela Cronin and the eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant as ex-officio members.
Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King has announced James ”Ossie” Miller as a Commissioner of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) for a three-year term, to succeed Peter Wilson.
Ms King said Mr Miller brought a distinguished career spanning more than 50 years in aviation, including as Fleet Captain of Qantas, and he complemented the bureau with first-hand experience in complex airline operations and leadership of large multi-crew environments. He also has a background chairing critical safety and operational committees and has significant experience with safety systems and investigations.
The Minister also announced that Angus Mitchell has been reappointed as Chief Commissioner and CEO of the ATSB Commission for an additional five-year term.
The Federal Government has announced the appointment of Ann Sherry AO as the new chair of Housing Australia. The government said Ms Sherry brought extensive leadership experience across government, business and the community sector, and a strong record of leading large and complex organisations.
Angus Mitchell has been reappointed as Chief Commissioner and CEO of the ATSB Commission. Professor Veena Sahajwalla (centre) has been appointed to the Advisory Board of the Centre for Australia-India Relations. Ann Sherry has been appointed as the new chair of Housing Australia. Photos: ATSB, Australian of the Year Awards and She Gives.
States and territories
The NSW Government has appointed Abbie Galvin as interim CEO and Louise Herron AM as strategic adviser of the new Powerhouse Parramatta, after the former CEO Lisa Havilah stood aside pending an ongoing independent investigation into governance and procurement practices.
WA Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourn has announced the appointment of Associate Professor Judith Fisher as chair of the Cockburn Sound Management Council to succeed Cliff Weeks. Associate Professor Fisher is joined by 18 new members: Bruce Jorgensen, Gnaala Karla Booja, Nicole Said, Dr Linda Davies, Dr Kelly Duckworth, Leyland Campbell, Tim Carson, David Harrison, Rob Hoschke, Cr Kevin Allen, Cr Michael Brown, Cr Dawn Jecks, Felix Bowman-Derrick, Kathleen Lowry, Gary Jackson, Richard Theobald, Rebecca James and Dr Julia Phillips.
Western Australian Attorney-General Dr Tony Buti has announced the appointment of Matthew Benter as a senior member and Richard Yates as an ordinary member of the State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) for five-year terms.
The Queensland Government has announced the appointment of Linda Waugh as the state’s new Ombudsman and Inspector of Detention Services, effective 23 November. Ms Waugh has served as the Integrity Commissioner since 2023, and previously served as the Commonwealth Merit Protection Commissioner.
New Victorian Premier Ben Carroll has announced the appointment of Fiona Adamson as the new Secretary of the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP), succeeding Jeroen Weimar.
Victoria’s Minister for Mental Health Ingrid Stitt has announced the appointment of Paris Aristotle to the board of the Parkville Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing Service (PYMHWS).
