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

Alicia Lewis has been promoted to chief of staff at the Department of Parliamentary Services.

The new assistant secretary of the electronic surveillance branch at the Attorney-General’s Department is Parker Reeve.

The Department of Defence has made Andrew Crosthwaite its assistant secretary of finance, specialist groups and capability costing.

Christopher Lim is the new senior trade and investment commissioner at Austrade.

Stacey Whiting, Peter Foley, Heather Ralph, Joanna Zhu, Praphul Palekar and Jagdish Mehra are the new national managers at Services Australia.

The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) has made Maria Shanahan an assistant secretary.

Gregory Tickle is now a Band 1 within the Department of Defence, while Nevin Gamal is set to join as assistant secretary for capability costing and assistant secretary of finance and specialist groups.

Band 2

Jordan Hatch is the new general manager at Services Australia.

The Department of Defence has promoted Patrick Sowry to Band 2.

Other Federal

Stephen Gniel made CEO of ACARA

The Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) has welcomed Stephen Gniel as its new chief executive officer for a three-year term.

Mr Gniel has been acting CEO since 20 November, 2023, and brings a wealth of experience across early childhood education, schools and tertiary portfolios in the education sector. He will lead ACARA in providing guidance and reporting on school curriculum and assessments, including NAPLAN.

Before his appointment as acting CEO, Mr Gniel was a member of the ACARA board, served as the CEO of the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) and held other senior positions within the Victorian and ACT Education Departments.

Michael Quigley joins ANSTO board as chair

Australia’s Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) has welcomed Michael Quigley AM as is new board chair.

ANSTO is Australia’s nuclear science centre of excellence. It provides advice to government on nuclear and science technology matters and delivers real-world benefits to Australians by supporting access to nuclear medicines.

Mr Quigley’s experience spans more than 50 years in telecommunications in the public and private sectors, including serving as the founding CEO of the NBN Co.

Services Australia brings in Brugeaud as new COO

Randall Brugeaud has begun his term as chief operating officer at Services Australia after leaving his leading role with the Simplified Trade System (STS) Implementation Taskforce.

Apart from being a board member of the Institute of Public Administration Australia, Mr Brugeaud has been CEO of the Digital Transformation Agency, COO of the Australian Bureau of Statistics, and chief information officer at the Australian Border Force.

Erin Dale to command ABF’s fight against illicit tobacco and e-cigarettes

The Federal Government has made Australian Border Force (ABF) Assistant Commissioner Erin Dale the interim inaugural Illicit Tobacco and E-cigarette Commissioner.

Ms Dale was leading the Tobacco and E-Cigarette Taskforce and has previously held various senior executive positions across ABF, including leading all national and regional border operations at Australian ports, overseeing travel, trade facilitation, and enforcement functions.

The Illicit Tobacco and E-cigarette Commissioner will be an essential role in coordinating efforts to combat the threat of illicit tobacco and e-cigarettes.

The Commissioner will build on and strengthen existing arrangements to ensure a more integrated whole-of-government response.

Amanda McGregor to be next Special Representative on Afghanistan

Foreign Minister Penny Wong has announced the appointment of Amanda McGregor as Australia’s next Special Representative on Afghanistan, based in Doha, Qatar.

Ms McGregor is a career officer with the Australian Public Service and was most recently Deputy Head of Mission, Australian Embassy, Beirut.

Several other positions were announced by Minister Wong, including:

• Derek Yip as Australia’s next Ambassador to the Kingdom of Cambodia
• Greg Wilcock as Australia’s next Consul-General in Honolulu
• Damien Donavan as Australia’s next Ambassador to the Kingdom of Morocco
• Leann Johnston as Australia’s next Ambassador to Nepal
• Max Willis as Australia’s next High Commissioner to the Republic of Vanuatu.

Consumer and small-business advocates appointed as designated complainants

The Federal Government has approved three consumer and small-business advocates as designated complainants.

Designated complainants will be able to submit complaints to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) about significant or systemic market issues affecting Australian consumers or small businesses.

When a designated complaint is lodged, the ACCC will be required to consider and publicly respond to the complaint within 90 days, stating what further action, if any, will be taken in response.

The approved designated complainants are:

• Australian Consumers’ Association (CHOICE)
• Consumer Action Law Centre (CALC)
• Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA).

Commonwealth appointments to Productivity Commission

The Federal Government has appointed Selwyn Button, Dr Alison Roberts and Barry Sterland PSM as full‑time Commissioners to the Productivity Commission (PC) for five‑year terms.

Mr Button will join on 15 July from PwC Indigenous Consulting, where he has been a partner and managing director. Dr Roberts will join on 18 September from her role as the inaugural chief executive officer of Airlines for Australia and New Zealand (A4ANZ). Mr Sterland joined on 4 July from KPMG, where he was the national lead and global co‑lead of its Climate Policy Advisory.

The government has also reappointed Dr Catherine de Fontenay as a full‑time Commissioner for another five‑year term.

Dr de Fontenay previously held positions at the Melbourne Business School, Melbourne University, Stanford University, and New York University. She is the president of the Economic Society of Australia.

Gerard Martin made Official Secretary to the Governor-General

The Federal Executive Council has approved the appointment of Gerard Martin PSM as the next Official Secretary to the Governor-General.

In addition to welcoming the appointment, the Governor-General acknowledged the service of Paul Singer MVO as he finished his term as Official Secretary.

Mr Martin has more than 25 years’ experience across government. Before his appointment, he was First Assistant Secretary at the PM&C, having led the delivery of the ministerial, parliamentary, communication and international visit functions, delivering support to the Prime Minister and portfolio ministers, as well as holding responsibility for the management of the Prime Minister’s official residences.

Australian Research Council refreshed

The new Australian Research Council (ARC) board will be led by Professor Peter Shergold AC and Professor Susan Dodds FAHA as chair and deputy chair, respectively.

The board will be supported by two key advisory committees to provide guidance and advice about ARC priorities and strategies: the ARC Advisory Committee and a new ARC Indigenous Forum.

The new ARC board, instead of the Minister, will be responsible for the approval of most research grants within the National Competitive Grants Program.

The Minister will be responsible for approving the funding guidelines, which will be subject to parliamentary scrutiny.

This means any future minister who tries to politicise the ARC will be subject to the scrutiny of the Parliament.

The members of the ARC board also include:

• Professor Maggie Walter
• Professor Cindy Shannon AM
• Professor Paul Wellings CBE
• Emeritus Professor Margaret Harding
• Mark Stickells AM
• Sally-Ann Williams FTSE.

Rachel Bin Salleh appointed to Public Lending Right Committee

Rachel Bin Salleh is now a member of the Public Lending Right Committee, as the Australian publisher representative.

The committee is responsible for determining eligibility and approving payments under the Public and Educational Lending Right Schemes, which compensate Australian creators and publishers for the free multiple use of their books in public and educational libraries.

New appointments to the Australian War Memorial Council

Following a public call for expressions of interest, Veterans’ Affairs Minister Matt Keogh has announced three new members to the Australian War Memorial Council:

• Lorraine Hatton OAM – a distinguished Australian Army veteran recognised as a pioneer for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous female servicewomen.

• Warren Snowdon – a former Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel.

• Dr Karen Bird – deputy chair of the National Advisory Committee for Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling, a postdoctoral fellow with the ARC Research Project Flinders University/University of New South Wales, and a founding committee member of the Suffering of War and Service Project at the Australian War Memorial.

The council is responsible for the conduct and control of the affairs and policy of the memorial, including the nature of its displays and exhibits, maintaining the commemorative area as well as undertaking a major expansion project.

New appointments to the National Film and Sound Archive Board

The Federal Government has appointed Margaret Pomeranz AM and Karina Carvalho to the Board of the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia (NFSA), each for a term of three years.

Ms Pomeranz has more than 40 years of experience as a presenter, producer and writer, predominantly for Australian screen productions. Ms Carvalho has 20 years of experience in news journalism and broadcasting, including 17 years with the ABC.

States and Territories

Anthony Wing reappointed NSW Point to Point Transport Commissioner

Anthony Wing has been reappointed as Point to Point Transport Commissioner for another five years.

The Point to Point Transport Commissioner administers and enforces point-to-point transport law to improve safety and encourage a more adaptive, innovative and competitive market for the whole industry.

Before leading the Point to Point Transport Commission, Mr Wing was executive director of policy at Transport for NSW, where he played a leading role in the establishment of the current regulatory framework for the industry that came into effect on 1 November, 2017.

Nicholas Reece sworn in as Melbourne’s new Lord Mayor

Long-standing City of Melbourne councillor Nicholas Reece has been sworn in as the 105th Lord Mayor of Melbourne.

As deputy lead of the finance portfolio, Cr Reece helped bring the council back into surplus for the first time in five years. As lead of the planning portfolio, he has overseen the approval of 20,000 new homes, new policies to improve the quality of architecture and design across the city, and higher sustainability standards for buildings.

New members on the Ambulance Victoria board

Ambulance Victoria has welcomed Andrew Crisp AM APM, Dr Fergus Kerr and Allison Smith as board directors.

Mr Crisp has had a long career in government service, leading departments and agencies. This includes his most recent role as Victoria’s Emergency Management Commissioner.

Dr Kerr has been chief medical officer at the Royal Melbourne Hospital since 2022. He was previously group director of medical services and clinical governance at Cabrini Health and held a series of senior leadership positions including chief medical officer at Austin Health and executive director of medical services at Peninsula Health.

Ms Smith is recognised as a leader in several disciplines but specifically financial analysis and reporting. She has held senior finance, retail, merchandise, marketing, supply chain and IT roles in some of Australia’s most influential organisations.

Experts appointed to lead Queensland’s renewable energy transition

The Queensland Government has established a new independent technical advisory board to support its renewable energy transition.

The Queensland Energy System Advisory Board (QESAB) will play a key role in providing advice and recommendations as part of the Queensland SuperGrid Infrastructure Blueprint review and update process.

It will be led by engineer Leeanne Bond, an expert in energy and resources, technology and innovation, infrastructure and governance of major capital projects.

The board also includes:

• Mark Carkeet – a highly experienced solicitor and consultant for the energy and resources sector working on projects in Australia, the Pacific and east Asia.

• Peter Price is chief engineer of Energy Queensland, on the board of Energy Skills Queensland, a member on the board of TAFE Queensland and a member of the Australian Energy Market Commission Reliability Panel.

• Jo Sheppard is chief executive officer of the Queensland Farmers Federation and has worked to develop the Queensland Renewable Energy Landholder Toolkit for landholders considering hosting a project on their property.

• Professor Paul Simshauser AM is chief executive officer of Powerlink and a part-time professor of economics at the Centre of Applied Energy Economics and Policy Research with Griffith University.

• Leann Wilson is a Bidjara/Kara-Kara and South Sea Islander descendant, recognised experienced executive, business owner and First Nations leader working with businesses, government and communities to facilitate collaboration between Indigenous Australians and the energy and resources sector.

• Kathryn Summers is an experienced power control engineer with more than 25 years’ electrical, market and regulatory experience.

Rebecca O’Connor is Queensland’s first Victims’ Commissioner

The Queensland Government has appointed Rebecca O’Connor as its first Victims’ Commissioner.

The Victims’ Commissioner will play a critical role in championing the rights of victims of crime and provide a platform for their voices to be heard within the criminal justice system, as well as addressing systemic issues impacting their welfare.

Currently the chief executive officer of DVConnect/Victim Connect, Ms O’Connor is also a co-chair of the Independent Ministerial Advisory Council, deputy managing director of the LGBTQ Domestic Violence Awareness Foundation and a founding member of the National Lived Experience Advisory Council for the Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commission.

As Victims’ Commissioner, Ms O’Connor will also have responsibility for developing a website to help guide victims as they navigate the criminal justice process.

Queensland sends Ross Buchanan to boost trade with Europe

Trade and investment expert Ross Buchanan has been appointed Queensland’s next Agent-General for the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland and Senior Trade Commissioner for Europe.

Mr Buchanan has more than 20 years of experience working in trade, industry and investment projects, most recently as the Global Investment Commissioner of Trade and Investment Queensland.

Independent reviewer appointed for Queensland’s Home Education Unit Review

Deborah Dunstone has been appointed the independent reviewer to undertake the Review of the Home Education Unit.

The review will consider the diverse experiences and needs of home-educating parents and provide recommendations on options to engage more broadly with home educators, enhance the effectiveness of regulation, and provide support for home-educating parents.

Ms Dunstone is currently CEO of The Learner First and brings a wealth of experience in the education sector in Queensland, including as a former regional director and the inaugural Assistant Director-General of State Schools – Disability and Inclusion.

Jodie Ransom named Fremantle Ports’ new CEO

WA Ports Minister has announced the appointment of Jodie Ransom as CEO of the Fremantle Port Authority (FPA).

She was previously the general manager – operations at FPA and is currently the acting CEO since the tragic passing of former CEO Michael Parker. Before this, she held senior positions with CBH, Svitzer and Alcoa.

South Australia gets a new Public Trustee

Tony Brumfield has been made South Australia’s next Public Trustee, replacing Nicolle Rantanen.

The Public Trustee provides financial advice and administration services to South Australians who require assistance in managing their personal affairs. The Public Trustee also handles deceased estate administration and trusts, and can provide will-making and Enduring Power of Attorney services to eligible South Australians.

Mr Brumfield has held executive-level corporate services and finance positions with Defence SA, Primary Industries and Resources SA, the Department of Treasury and Finance, and the Environment Department.

New commissioner appointed to SA Employment Tribunal

Experienced industrial relations practitioner Jaspreet Kaur has been appointed as a commissioner of the South Australian Employment Tribunal.

She replaces retiring Commissioner Richard Cairney, with significant experience and expertise across the industrial relations system, recently working as an in-house representative at several large South Australian businesses in the private and not-for-profit sectors.

Tasmanian Weeds Action Fund chair reappointed

The Tasmanian Weeds Action Fund chair Ian Sauer has been reappointed for the next two years.

The fund was announced in 2018, with $5 million being invested with farmers, community groups and organisations to tackle weeds that impact both environmental and commercial assets.

An additional $1.4 million over two years has been invested to support Stage 3 of the Weeds Action Fund, which aims to consolidate the achievements of the fund so far.

Open for consultation

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.

Hydrogen and Critical Minerals Production Tax Incentives

The Hydrogen Production Tax Incentive is a time‑limited measure to accelerate the growth of Australia’s hydrogen industry. It’s intended to bring forward project development, make renewable hydrogen available sooner, and build scale to reduce production costs over time.

The Critical Minerals Production Tax Incentive will assist to extract more value onshore from our resources by building sovereign capability in critical minerals processing. It will allow eligible entities to claim 10 per cent of expenditure for processing and refining any of the 31 minerals currently published on the government’s Critical Minerals list.

Both papers are now available on the Treasury website for consultation until 12 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.

Review of the Foreign Arrangements Scheme

Rosemary Huxtable AO PSM is leading an independent review of Australia’s Foreign Relations (State and Territory Arrangements) Act 2020, which underpins the Foreign Arrangements Scheme.

The scheme was introduced to ensure that Australian governments at all levels and Australian public universities enter agreements with foreign countries that do not adversely affect Australia’s foreign relations and are not inconsistent with Australia’s foreign policy.

Public submissions are open until 2 August.

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 10-16 July

Wednesday (10 July):

Financial Services Regulatory Framework in Relation to Financial Abuse – Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services

Time: 9 am – 3:30 pm; Chamber: Joint; Location: Mercure Perth, 10 Irwin Street, Perth, WA.

Friday (12 July): Inquiry into the Digital Transformation of Workplaces – Standing Committee on Employment, Education and Training

Time: TBA; Chamber: House; Location: Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House, Canberra, ACT.

Monday (15 July):

Department of Finance, Proposed Fit-out of New Commonwealth Parliament Offices at One Festival Tower, Adelaide, SA – Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works

Time: 1:30 – 2:30 pm; Chamber: Joint; Location: Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House, Canberra, ACT.

Agreement Between the Government of Australia and the Government of Papua New Guinea on a Framework for Closer Security Relations – Joint Standing Committee on Treaties

Time: 12 – 1:20 pm; Chamber: Joint; Location: Committee Room 1R4, Parliament House, Canberra, ACT.

Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity Agreement relating to Supply Chain Resilience – Joint Standing Committee on Treaties

Time: 1:20 – 2 pm; Chamber: Joint; Location: Committee Room 1R4, Parliament House, Canberra, ACT.

Tuesday (16 July):

Select Committee on Adopting Artificial Intelligence (AI) – Select Committee on Adopting Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Time: TBA; Chamber: Senate; Location: Main Committee Room 1R0, Parliament House, Canberra, ACT.