The Water Cooler: Comings, goings, hearings and consultations

A breakdown of the latest appointments, public hearings and open consultations in the Australian Public Service and across the public services of the states and territories.

APS Senior Executive Service

Band 1

Geraldine Quinane is the next chief financial officer at the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Services Australia has appointed Sharna Bucher as a national manager.

Michael Burvill has been promoted to assistant secretary of clinical operations within the Department of Home Affairs.

Band 2

Andrew McDonald and Thomas Black are two new first assistant secretaries for the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

Other Federal

Former NSW treasurer Matt Kean to head Climate Change Authority

Days after resigning from NSW Parliament, former Liberal MP Matt Kean has been made the head of the Climate Change Authority.

The Climate Change Authority is an Australian Government statutory agency responsible for providing independent advice to government on climate change policy.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced Mr Kean’s appointment on Monday (24 June).

“As a former New South Wales treasurer and minister for energy and the environment, Matt Kean is uniquely qualified to lead the Climate Change Authority and I am so pleased that he has accepted the government’s invitation to take up the vacancy,” Mr Albanese said.

“I worked very closely with Mr Kean when we introduced of course our coal and gas and our energy price relief plan in partnership with the New South Wales government and other state governments as well. We know that it made a practical difference.

“Mr Kean understands the opportunity that the transition to clean energy represents for our nation.”

ASIO boss reappointed for five more years

Mike Burgess will remain in the ASIO top job for another five years, following his reappointment as Director-General of Security.

Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil on Thursday (20 June) confirmed the reappointment of the spy boss who first came into the role in 2019 under the Coalition government of Scott Morrison.

Professor Jenny May is the next National Rural Health Commissioner

Professor Jenny May AM has been appointed Australia’s National Rural Health Commissioner.

The National Rural Health Commissioner provides health policy advice and advocates for reforms that support better access to safe, quality and affordable health care in rural, regional and remote Australia.

Professor May brings a wealth of experience to the role of commissioner after working on the ground as a GP for more than 35 years in rural, regional and remote WA, NT and NSW as well as overseas in rural Canada.

With 20 years in health education, Professor May has also taught Australia’s medical, nursing and allied health students of the future. She also has significant research expertise in health workforce matters and is currently the director of the University of Newcastle Department of Rural Health, based in Tamworth.

Fiona Phillips back at work after having benign tumour removed

South Coast MP Fiona Phillips has made a full recovery and returned to work after successful surgery to remove an oral tumour.

In early June, Ms Phillips announced she had been admitted to hospital for surgery to remove the large tumour. Following the surgery, she took a leave of absence from work to recover.

First chief investment officer named for National Reconstruction Fund Corporation

The board and CEO of the National Reconstruction Fund Corporation (NRFC) have announced Dr Mary Manning as the organisation’s inaugural chief investment officer.

Dr Manning will oversee investment strategy and portfolio management for the $15 billion fund, which was set up by the Australian Government in September 2023 to diversify and transform the nation’s industry and economy.

Previously a portfolio manager at Ellerston Capital and Alphinity Investment Management, and having held senior investment positions at Oaktree Capital and Soros Funds Management, Dr Manning brings more than 25 years’ experience in finance, economics and investment to the NRFC.

Ruth Owen CBE is the next Inspector-General of Taxation

Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones has announced Ruth Owen CBE as the Inspector-General of Taxation (IGT) for a five-year period.

The Office of the Inspector‑General of Taxation and Taxation Ombudsman (IGTO) provides independent oversight and investigation of the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) and Tax Practitioners Board’s (TPB) administrative practices.

Ms Owen has previously been a director-general and tax commissioner of His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs in the UK, head of profession in the UK Civil Service and deputy secretary of the NSW Department of Education. She is currently Deputy Secretary of the NSW Premier’s Department, leading the Strategic Implementation Group.

Former WA senator appointed to board of Old Parliament House

Infrastructure Minister Tony Burke has announced former WA senator Sue Knowles as a part-time member of the board of Old Parliament House for a three-year term.

Old Parliament House is home to the Museum of Australian Democracy, which provides Australians with an enriched understanding and appreciation of the political legacy and intrinsic value of Australian democracy.

Ms Knowles has previously served on a range of boards and committees, including as a convener of the Classification Board (2017-2022) and member of the Classification Review Board (2015-2017).

A big week of judicial appointments

Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus has announced several appointments to the national courts of Australia this past week.

First up are Jane Needham SC and Stephen McDonald SC, who have been made judges of the Federal Court of Australia.

Ms Needham has been appointed to the New South Wales Registry and Mr McDonald to the South Australian Registry of the Federal Court of Australia. Ms Needham and Mr McDonald will begin their new roles on 5 July and 8 July respectively.

Tuskeen Jacobs will be a judge of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2), starting her role at the Brisbane Registry on 8 July.

There have also been 72 reappointments to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT), including two non-judicial deputy presidents, 14 senior members and 56 members.

The 72 appointees are current members of the AAT whose existing appointments expire on 30 June. Each appointee will transition to the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) upon its introduction. The ART will replace the AAT as soon as practicable before the end of 2024.

States and Territories

Ian Goodwin steps down as NSW Deputy Auditor-General

Deputy Auditor-General Ian Goodwin has resigned from the Audit Office of New South Wales, which he has led since 2017.

The Audit Office said that on his latest deployment as a commissioned officer in the Australian Army Reserve, Mr Goodwin decided that it was “time for a change”.

“Under Ian’s leadership, the Audit Office delivered quality services to our auditees and to the NSW Parliament,” it said.

“His work has helped to safeguard the integrity of government and his partnership approach has successfully navigated many complex challenges during his time as Deputy Auditor-General.”

New appointments to NSW courts

Judge Michael Allen is the next Chief Magistrate of the Local Court of NSW, and Belinda Rigg SC is set to be a judge of the Supreme Court of NSW.

Judge Allen brings almost 40 years’ experience, including as deputy chief magistrate and most recently as a District Court judge. Ms Rigg was appointed Senior Counsel in 2014 and for the past five years has been the NSW Senior Public Defender.

Judge Allen and Ms Rigg will be sworn in on 8 July and 24 July, respectively.

Rural Fire Service Queensland (RFSQ) welcomes first advisory committee

The inaugural Rural Fire Service Advisory Committee has been appointed following its establishment under new legislation.

The committee will advise the Chief Officer on strategic priorities including operations, fleet and equipment, training and development, and membership.

Ten volunteer members, including a representative of the Rural Fire Brigade Association of Queensland and a First Nations representative, will join four RFSQ senior officers.

The committee’s volunteer members include Acting Chief Officer Ben Millington, South Eastern Region Deputy Chief Officer Karen Hodges AFSM, South Western Assistant Chief Officer Wayne Waltisbuhl and Central Area manager Fiona Quirk.

The appointment of members will be reviewed annually and a member will be able to serve for a maximum of two years.

Martyn Campbell is South Australia’s new Consumer Affairs Commissioner

Former SafeWork SA head Martyn Campbell has been appointed as the new head of South Australia’s consumer affairs watchdog, Consumer and Business Services (CBS).

He takes the reins of CBS at a time when the agency prepares to assume responsibility for the licensing and enforcement of the sale of tobacco and vape products.

Mr Campbell has worked as a detective inspector with both the UK and South Australia Police, the Workplace Ombudsman, the Assistant Commissioner at the Australian Taxation Office and executive director of SafeWork SA.

His appointment follows the resignation of Dini Soulio earlier in the year to take up the role of chief executive of SuperSA.

WA Training and Workforce Development Director-General Karen Ho to resign

The WA Government has recognised Director-General Karen Ho’s contribution to the Department of Training and Workforce Development following news she will retire later this year.

Ms Ho will leave the department after more than three years as director-general, 14 years with the agency, and 35 years in the WA public service.

A highly respected and experienced public servant, Ms Ho led the department through workforce and skills challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic and oversaw the biggest investment in TAFE training and infrastructure by a State Government in WA’s history.

Four assistant commissioners appointed to WA Mental Health Commission

Four assistant commissioners have been appointed at the WA Mental Health Commission. Their aim is to provide strategic and expert advice to inform system-wide reform to help improve outcomes for people in Western Australia.

The new roles and appointments follow the WA Government’s response to findings from the Independent Review of WA Health System Governance, which highlighted the need to strengthen leadership, accountability and collaboration of the mental health, alcohol and other drug systems.

From 1 July the commission will have:

• Assistant Commissioner of Aboriginal Affairs, James Christian PSM MPA
• Assistant Commissioner of Alcohol and Other Drugs, Dr Stephen Bright
• Assistant Commissioner with lived experience as a consumer, Patricia Tran
• Assistant Commissioner with lived experience as a significant other, Wendy Cream FDRP.

Jane Bennett joins WA Environmental Protection Authority

Jane Bennett has been appointed to a three-year term with the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA).

EPA members are appointed by the Governor on the recommendation of the Environment Minister.

Ms Bennett joins deputy chair Lee McIntosh and Fiona Haslam McKenzie, Darren Walsh and Hamish Beck on the independent authority’s board.

She currently sits on the boards of the WA Planning Commission and DevelopmentWA and is also an Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) councillor.

Tasmania’s inaugural Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner appointed

Tasmania’s inaugural Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner, Jeremy Smith, has been appointed after a merit-based recruitment process.

Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management Felix Ellis announced Mr Smith’s appointment.

“He has extensive firefighting experience in Tasmania, interstate and internationally, playing a key role in the development of the TFS remote area firefighting capability and Tasmania’s urban fire and rescue capability,” Mr Ellis said.

Open for consultation

Response to PwC – regulation of accounting, auditing and consulting firms in Australia

Treasury is seeking feedback on a paper identifying priorities to strengthen regulatory arrangements for the accounting, auditing and consulting firms in Australia. Feedback is open until 28 June.

Application for WA Pearl Oyster Fishery

The current export approval for the Western Australian Pearl Oyster Fishery expires on 30 May, 2025, and the fishery is undergoing assessment for ongoing export accreditation. The public consultation period for the assessment will be open until 5 July.

Release of draft Good Institutional Practice Guide

The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) has opened for consultation its draft guide, which aims to provide NHMRC-funded institutions and NHMRC-funded researchers with direction on good institutional practice to promote open, honest, supportive and respectful institutional cultures conducive to the conduct of high-quality research. Submissions close on 10 July.

National survey on telecommunications issues throughout regional Australia

The Federal Government has – for the first time – released its Regional Telecommunications Review survey, providing a way for regional, rural and remote Australians to easily give feedback on how they are experiencing telecommunications in their communities. The short online survey closes on 31 July.

Improving crane licensing under the model WHS laws

Safe Work Australia is seeking feedback on six detailed proposals for changes that could be made to crane licensing to improve safety and ensure the licensing system keeps pace with changing work practices and technology. Submissions for the discussion paper are open until 31 July.

For information on all the state and territory government projects open for consultation, follow the links below:

• New South Wales
• Queensland
• Victoria
• South Australia
• Western Australia
• Tasmania
• Northern Territory
• Australian Capital Territory

Federal Parliament Public Hearings

Wednesday (26 June):

Inquiry into the challenges and opportunities within the Australian live music industry – Standing Committee on Communications and the Arts

Time: 12:45 – 1:30 pm; Chamber: House; Location: Committee Room 1R6, Parliament House, Canberra, ACT.

Inquiry into the Digital Transformation of Workplaces – Standing Committee on Employment, Education and Training

Time: 11 am – 12:30 pm; Chamber: House; Location: Committee Room 1R2, Parliament House, Canberra, ACT.

Thursday (27 June):

Inquiry into local government sustainability – Standing Committee on Regional Development, Infrastructure and Transport

Time: 11:05 am – noon; Chamber: House; Location: Committee Room 1R3, Parliament House, Canberra, ACT.

Friday (28 June):

NDIS participant experience in rural, regional and remote Australia – Joint Standing Committee on the National Disability Insurance Scheme

Time: 8:30 am – 3:30 pm; Chamber: Joint; Location: Committee Room 2S1, Parliament House, Canberra, ACT.

Northern Australia Workforce Development – Joint Select Committee on Northern Australia

Time: TBA; Chamber: Joint; Location: Senate Committee Room 2S3, Parliament House, Canberra, ACT.

Inquiry into the transition to electric vehicles – Standing Committee on Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water

Time: 8:45 am – 12:40 pm; Chamber: House; Location: Committee Room 2R2, Parliament House, Canberra, ACT.

Social Media and Australian Society – Joint Select Committee on Social Media and Australian SocietyTime: TBA; Chamber: Joint; Location: Committee Room 1R4, Parliament House, Canberra, ACT.

Monday (1 July):

International Labour Organisation Conventions No. 187 & 191 – Joint Standing Committee on Treaties

Time: 11:40 am – 12:20 pm; Chamber: Joint; Location: Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House, Canberra, ACT.

Tuesday (2 July):

Social Media and Australian Society – Joint Select Committee on Social Media and Australian Society

Time: TBA; Chamber: Joint; Location: Committee Room 2S1, Parliament House, Canberra, ACT.