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

The Department of Treasury has promoted Rachael McCririck to assistant secretary.

Band 2

The Net Zero Economy Agency has made Rachel Livingstone and Travis Bover first assistant secretaries.

Other federal

After two decades of army and air force leaders, navy takes the ADF helm

Command of the Australian Defence Force transferred from General Angus Campbell to Admiral David Johnston during a ceremonial parade in Canberra last week.

Admiral Johnston is the first navy CDF for more than two decades, after a succession of army and air force chiefs.

He joined the Royal Australian Navy in 1978 and held the position of Vice Commander of Defence Force since 2018.

He brings extensive experience to his new position, from senior operational roles in the Joint Force to interagency appointments that have engaged the ADF at home and across the globe.

The Chief of Army (CA), Lieutenant General Simon Stuart, and Chief of Navy (CN), Vice-Admiral Mark Hammond, will remain in their current roles for a further two years.

Chief of Joint Operations (CJOPS), Lieutenant General Greg Bilton, retired and was replaced by his deputy, Rear Admiral Justin Jones, who was promoted to Vice-Admiral.

Chief of Joint Capabilities (CJC), Lieutenant General John Frewen, also retired, replaced by the Commander of Army’s Forces Command, Major General Susan Coyle, who was promoted to Lieutenant General.

The Chief of Defence Intelligence, Lieutenant General Gavan Reynolds, will also retire. He will be replaced by a civilian appointment to be named.

New bosses installed to mop up after urinator episode at APVMA

The troubled Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) has a new chief executive officer and board chair, in a move the Federal Government hopes will put to rest the “urinator episode”.

Agriculture Minister Murray Watt announced the appointments late on Friday (12 July) of Catherine Ainsworth as the APVMA chair and Scott Hansen as the new CEO.

Dr Ainsworth began her four-year term on Friday, while Mr Hansen starts a five-year term on 24 July.

Mr Watt said the appointments were a sign of positive reform for the agency and meant farmers, consumers and chemical users could now be assured that APVMA had a stable and secure future.

First Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism appointed

The Federal Government has announced the appointment of Jillian Segal AO as the nation’s inaugural Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism.

Her career spans decades in both the public and private sectors, including as former president of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry and as chair of the Australia-Israel Chamber of Commerce.

As Special Envoy, Ms Segal will listen to and engage with Jewish Australians, the wider Australian community, religious discrimination experts and all levels of government on the most effective way to combat antisemitism.

Ms Segal has been appointed for a three-year term and will report directly to the Prime Minister and the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs.

Youth Steering Committee refreshed

The Federal Government has appointed seven new members to the Youth Steering Committee for a two-year term. They are:

• Ruben from Western Australia
• Donella from the Northern Territory
• Armani from the Northern Territory
• Jet from Tasmania
• Rachel from Victoria
• Caleb from New South Wales
• Charlotte from the Australian Capital Territory.

In November 2022, the first Youth Steering Committee was established, made up of 14 young people from across the country ranging in age from 13 to 24. It works with Youth Minister Dr Anne Aly to design and implement the Youth Engagement Model, while also providing advice on government policies and programs that impact young people.

The new appointees join eight other committee members, who are staying on for a further 12 months. They are:

• Brodie from Western Australia
• Isabella from South Australia
• Billie from South Australia
• Isabel from Tasmania
• Taihan from Victoria
• Nayonika from New South Wales
• Emily from Queensland
• Sebastian from Queensland.

States and Territories

NSW inaugural Net Zero Commission launched

The NSW Government’s first Net Zero Commission has begun its operations in monitoring, reviewing and reporting on the state’s progress towards emission-reduction targets established under the Climate Change (Net Zero Future) Act 2023.

The targets include a 50 per cent reduction in net greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, a 70 per cent drop by 2035, and net-zero emissions by 2050.

The commission will be directly accountable to NSW Parliament through the recently established Parliamentary Joint Standing Committee on Net Zero Future. It will be required to prepare annual reports on the state’s progress and to consult with the future NSW Agriculture Commissioner as part of this process.

Chaired by Dr Paul Grimes PSM, the commission is made up of:

• Maria Atkinson AM
• Oliver Costello
• Professor Frank Jotzo
• Katerina Kimmorley
• Meg McDonald
• Professor Andy Pitman AO

The commission includes NSW Chief Scientist, Professor Hugh Durrant-Whyte, as an ex-officio member to provide whole-of-government scientific advice.

John Tansey appointed to NSW Health Care Complaints Commission

For the next five years, John Tansey will be a Commissioner of the NSW Health Care Complaints Commission (HCCC).

His appointment comes after Kieran Pehm and Nicole Lawless filled in for the role as Acting Commissioner over recent months.

Mr Tansey has held senior leadership and regulatory roles across the NSW Government, including most recently at the Department of Customer Service as the executive director of policy and delivery. He is a recognised leader in regulatory policy and practice, with experience and achievements in reforming and implementing regulatory frameworks, schemes and operations.

Lea Drake to lead inquiry into Greyhound Racing NSW

NSW Gaming and Racing Minister David Harris has appointed Lea Drake as an Acting Commissioner of the NSW Greyhound Welfare and Integrity Commission (GWIC) to lead an inquiry into Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW).

Ms Drake is an accomplished investigator with more than two decades’ experience as a member of the Fair Work Commission and inaugural Commissioner of Integrity of the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission, and has sat on civil, administrative and sports misconduct-related tribunals.

NSW RFS Commissioner to retire at the end of bushfire season

NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) Commissioner Rob Rogers will retire from the role at the end of the coming bushfire season in early 2025, after almost five years leading the emergency service agency.

As Commissioner, he has led the transformation of the RFS, introducing innovations such as the new Australian Fire Danger Rating System, artificial intelligence, enhanced community safety through new Bush Fire Risk Management Plans, technological advancement and improved personal protection for volunteers, and aerial firefighting capabilities.

NSW Chief Magistrate sworn in as revamped Industrial Court begins work

Last week Judge Michael Allen was sworn in as the Chief Magistrate of the Local Court of NSW and the state’s re-established Industrial Court held its opening ceremony.

With almost 40 years’ experience, including as Deputy Chief Magistrate and most recently as a District Court judge, Judge Allen has worked in many areas of the law. This includes family and domestic violence, serious crime, mental health, drug and alcohol, workers’ compensation and civil law.

At the Chief Secretary’s Building in Sydney, the Industrial Court of NSW held two welcoming ceremonies.

The State Government welcomed Justice Ingmar Taylor and Justice David Chin as judges and the president and vice-president of the Industrial Relations Commission (IRC), respectively. This week Justice Jane Paingakulam will also join the court as a judge and the IRC’s deputy president.

The NSW Government re-established the Industrial Court, which was initially decommissioned in 2016, to allow it to play a critical role in the state’s industrial relations framework.

The court will hear all industrial relations matters relating to NSW Government and local government employees. Private sector employees will remain under the Fair Work Commission’s jurisdiction.

Queensland’s first female Auditor-General appointed

Rachel Vagg has been appointed Queensland’s new Auditor-General following an international search and merit-based recruitment process.

The Auditor-General is an independent officer of the Queensland Parliament, providing assurance to the Parliament and the Queensland community on the presentation of financial and performance audit of all public sector entities, including departments, statutory bodies, government-owned corporations, and local governments.

Ms Vagg, who becomes the first female appointed to the position, has extensive government experience and, as partner at the global consulting and advisory firm KPMG, has been leading a team on the governance, risk and compliance advisory practice with a focus on public sector and local government.

Ms Vagg will start her seven-year term on 12 August, taking over from Brendan Worrall. Deputy Auditor-General Karen Johnson will act as Auditor-General in the interim.

Home Education Expert Group established in Queensland

An independent review into Queensland home education has begun and will be informed directly by a group of 12 expert home educators.

The examination will be led by an independent reviewer, Deborah Dunstone, who will chair the Home Education Expert Group (HEEG).

The HEEG is made up of 12 home educating parents as well as a representative from the Home Education Association, Free2Homeschool and Australian Christian Home Schooling. It will also be supported by the attendance of up to three departmental observers with experience and expertise in disability reform, inclusion, wellbeing, curriculum, and distance learning.

All Queensland home educating parents will be able to provide input into the review through surveys and regional workshops.

Western Australia welcomes two new magistrates

WA Attorney-General John Quigley has announced the appointments of Kim Farmer as a magistrate of the Children’s Court and Joanne Brinkley as a magistrate of the Family Court (FCWA).

Ms Farmer, a Noongar woman, was admitted to practice in 2004 and is a former Aboriginal Legal Service of WA lawyer. She joins the judiciary after two separate periods working as a private legal practitioner, most recently since 2021.

Ms Brinkley has served as an FCWA registrar for the past two years, following an 11-year career as a solicitor with Legal Aid WA. Admitted to practice in WA in 2011, she was recognised only three years later by the Family Law Practitioners’ Association as its inaugural Young Family Lawyer of the Year.

Ms Farmer will take up her position on 22 July, while Ms Brinkley is set to begin on 5 August.

South Australia’s ICAC Commissioner to resign later this year

The South Australian Government has been advised that the Commissioner of the Independent Commission Against Corruption, Ann Vanstone KC, will be leaving the position later this year.

Commissioner Vanstone has served the administration of justice in South Australia for more than 40 years, first as a crown prosecutor and defence lawyer, then as a judge of the District Court of South Australia and justice of the Supreme Court of South Australia.

Ms Vanstone’s resignation will take effect from 6 September.

Aaron Almeida to join SA Magistrates Court

A criminal defence lawyer with more than 20 years’ experience, Aaron Almeida, has been appointed to the SA Magistrates Court.

He will fill the vacancy left by the retirement of Magistrate Jayne Basheer next Monday (22 July).

Over the past 22 years, Mr Almeida has practised in criminal law – and most recently was the principal of his own firm, Almeida and Associates. He has also worked as lead advocacy instructor with the College of Law in Adelaide.

Regina Weiss to lead formation of unit improving investigations into Tasmania’s Public Service

Tasmanian barrister Regina Weiss has been appointed to provide advice on the establishment of a new centralised unit focused on improving the timeliness and capability of ED5 investigations in the Tasmanian State Service.

An ED5 investigation examines potential breaches of the State Service Code of Conduct by a state service employee.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff announced Ms Weiss would provide advice to the head of the State Service about the newly established Shared Capability and Centralised Investigations Unit, which the State Government committed to implementing as part of its Commission of Inquiry response.

Employment investigations involving alleged child sexual abuse are the first type of serious Code of Conduct matters that will be managed by this new central unit.

Chief Aboriginal Health Adviser role created in Tasmania’s Health Department

Tasmania’s Health Minister Guy Barnett has announced the state’s Department of Health will soon begin recruitment for the new role of Chief Aboriginal Health Adviser.

“This senior role has been created to provide dedicated leadership, high-level strategic and cultural advice and directions on ways to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal people in Tasmania”, Mr Barnett said.

“Importantly, the Chief Aboriginal Health Adviser will have a key role in building strong relationships with the Aboriginal community-controlled health sector and inter-governmental stakeholders.”

Mr Barnett said the establishment of this position was a key priority outlined in the Improving Aboriginal Cultural Respect Across Tasmania’s Health System Action Plan 2020-2026, providing leadership to support implementation of health commitments for the department in the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.

Open for consultation

Australian Pregnancy Care and Postnatal Care guidelines

The Living Evidence for Australian Pregnancy and Postnatal Care (LEAPP) consortium is seeking the government’s approval for its Australian Pregnancy Care Guidelines and Australian Postnatal Care Guidelines. The draft Pregnancy Care living recommendations relate to the risk of preterm birth, including recommendations on cervical length measurement and the use of progesterone and cervical cerclage. Consultation on recommendations from both guidelines is open until Friday, 26 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

Wednesday (17 July):

Select Committee on Adopting Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Time: 9 am – 4 pm; Chamber: Senate; Location: Main Committee Room 1R0, Parliament House, Canberra, ACT.

Insurers’ responses to 2022 major floods claims – Standing Committee on Economics

Time: 9:30 am – 1:15 pm; Chamber: House; Location: Aberdeen Room, Paranaple Convention Centre, 137 Rooke Street, Devonport, TAS.

Thursday (18 July):

Exchange of Notes to extend agreement between US and Australian Government concerning Conduct of Scientific Balloon Flights for Civil Research Purposes – Joint Standing Committee on Treaties

Time: 11 – 11:40 am; Chamber: Joint; Location: Committee Room 1R4, Parliament House, Canberra, ACT.

Tuesday (23 July):

Shutdown of the 3G mobile network – Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee

Time: 9:30 am – 3:30 pm; Chamber: Senate; Location: Cooma Ex-Services Club, 106 Vale Street, Cooma, NSW.

Criminal Code Amendment (Deepfake Sexual Material) Bill 2024 [Provisions] – Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee

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