Heidi Snell (left) has been appointed as general manager — Regulatory Operations Group in the Office of the eSafety Commissioner. Housing Australia Board chair Carol Austin has resigned, effective 27 November. Photos: LinkedIn & Housing Australia.
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.
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Heidi Snell has been appointed as general manager — Regulatory Operations Group in the Office of the eSafety Commissioner.
Brian Schumacher has been appointed as First Assistant Secretary – Digital Transformation and Delivery in the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.
Other federal appointments
Housing Australia Board chair Carol Austin has advised Housing Minister Clare O’Neil of her resignation, effective 27 November, two years after being appointed to the role.
Her resignation comes amid claims of bullying and the resignations of several senior staff, which have been the subject of a Treasury investigation, and about which Ms Austin had appeared before a Parliamentary Estimates hearing in October.
In a statement, Ms Austin said it was a critical time for housing policy in Australia.
“Over the past two years, the Board of Housing Australia has overseen a strengthening of governance and an uplifting of skills and capabilities to support its expanded mandate under the government’s ambitious housing agenda,” she said.
“Achieving this at pace and scale required a significant step change in organisational capability, sustained effort and genuine dedication from a wide range of people and partners.
“Importantly, the results demonstrate what can be achieved through genuine collaboration toward a common goal.
“I am grateful to everyone who has worked so hard to drive this positive transformation and to improve housing outcomes for Australians, particularly the most vulnerable in our society.”
Ms O’Neil thanked Ms Austin for her contribution, and said she played an important role in the build-up and delivery of Housing Australia’s capability to deliver the government’s housing agenda.
“Ms Austin goes with my gratitude and very best wishes,” she said.
States and territories
Shouwn Oosting has been appointed as the new chair of Country Arts SA, the first First Nations person to oversee a South Australian statutory arts organisation.
Peter Meere has been appointed as the head of South Australia’s Office for AI.
Mr Meere will drive the State Government’s strategic and responsible adoption of AI to deliver public value, ensuring it is used safely, ethically and effectively across the public service to improve government services, spur economic growth and support workforce transformation.
The Queensland Government has appointed Wayne Pennell as the state’s Mining and Resources Coroner.
