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
Christina Wong has been promoted to Policy, Law and Advice Assistant Commissioner at the ATO, along with Jacqui Marchment, who is now Resource Management – Compliance Assistant Commissioner.
The Department of Veterans’ Affairs has welcomed Milli Wong from the Education Department as a general counsel in its corporate legal branch. It has also brought in Allyson Martin from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry into its dispute resolution team as general counsel.
Kate Lea-Perry and Cristhian Cano are now branch heads at the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW).
Scott Fitzpatrick and Kade Dillon have been promoted within the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) to branch managers of partner performance and market innovation, respectively. Meanwhile, Ainslie Wood and Amy Hand are taking up the mantle as branch managers of people, culture and wellbeing.
New branch managers at the Department of Social Services include: Kirsti van der Steen for income management, engagement and support services; James Steen for financial wellbeing; Valerie Still for enabling services; Kate Hamilton for national programs; Danielle Chatillon for carer, disability and student payments; Danielle Aeuckens for performance and evaluation; Penelope Futcher for disability employment programs; Julie McKenzie and Emma Lenthall for housing and homelessness strategy and data; and Suzanne Muir for advocacy and inclusion programs.
Band 2
Gregory Pugh, Chris Bedford and Emily Harper have been promoted to first assistant secretaries within the Department of Health and Aged Care (DHAC).
Other federal
Airservices Australia board chair and interim CEO appointed
John Weber has been reappointed chair of the Airservices Australia board for another year, with Rob Sharp joining as its interim chief executive officer (CEO).
Airservices Australia is responsible for 11 per cent of the world’s airspace, managing the nation’s skies, aviation rescue firefighting services and helping grow its domestic aviation industry.
Mr Weber has worked extensively for corporations and federal government agencies, covering the rail, aviation, health and defence sectors. Mr Sharp has served for two years as the Secretary of the Transport for New South Wales department and previously as CEO for both Virgin Australia Airlines and Tigerair Australia.
New Airservices Australia interim CEO Rob Sharp succeeded John Borghetti as CEO of Virgin Australia in 2017. Photo: Virgin Australia.
Terri Janke appointed to Copyright Agency’s board
The Copyright Agency board has appointed Terri Janke as its new independent director, replacing Jason Eades, who spent six years in the role.
Copyright Agency collects licence fees for the reuse of text and images and distributes these as copyright royalty payments to its creator members. The agency manages the Statutory Education copyright scheme, the Commonwealth, State and Territory Statutory Government copying schemes, the Resale Royalty scheme for visual artists, and the special provisions for institutions assisting people with print disabilities – all by appointment by the government or the Copyright Tribunal.
As the owner and solicitor director of Terri Janke and Company, Ms Janke advises on legal matters including intellectual property, business law, Indigenous JV agreements and governance of Indigenous organisations.
Terri Janke is a Wuthathi, Yadhaigana and Meriam woman and an international authority on Indigenous cultural and intellectual property. Photo: UNSW.
States and Territories
Tess Herbert appointed chair of NSW Local Land Services board
Agribusiness owner and manager Tess Herbert has been appointed as the new NSW Local Land Services (LLS) board chair.
LLS staff help people make better decisions about the land they manage, and assist rural and regional communities to be profitable and sustainable into the future. In line with the Local Land Services Act 2013, the term of the board chair is set for up to four years.
A former Central Tablelands LLS board member, Mrs Herbert holds a Master of Agribusiness from the University of Melbourne (2020) and has extensive committee experience, including her current work as the Grains Industry Sustainability Framework Governance Council independent chair.
Tess Herbert runs a medium-sized feedlot for about 6000 head of cattle outside Eugowra with her family. Last year they won the Australian Farmer of the Year award. Photo: Australian Beef Sustainability Framework.
Linda Dessau and Dr Gillian Sparkes join Victoria’s Grand Prix Board
The Australian Grand Prix Corporation (AGPC) Board has welcomed Linda Dessau AC CVO and Dr Gillian Sparkes AM into its ranks.
Together they will help the board deliver the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park and the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix at Phillip Island, which make a significant contribution to Victoria’s $3.3 billion major events sector.
Ms Dessau will sit on the board as deputy chair, bringing her experience as the Governor of Victoria for eight years and various roles within the legal profession, including as a judge in the Family Court of Australia for 18 years. Dr Sparkes was a Victorian Commissioner for Environmental Sustainability from 2014 to 30 June, 2024.
Linda Dessau has also served as a commissioner of the AFL, president of the Melbourne International Arts Festival and a trustee of the National Gallery of Victoria. Photo: Churchill Trust.
Queensland’s global trade agency confirms CEO and First Nations representation
Justin McGowan has been reappointed as CEO of Trade and Investment Queensland (TIQ) for another five years.
Headquartered in Brisbane, TIQ is the State Government’s dedicated global business agency, with a network of 21 international and eight Queensland regional offices.
Since beginning at TIQ in January 2023 on a short-term contract, Mr McGowan has led the global business agency assisting exporters and promoting Queensland as a preferred investment destination.
He was previously Australia’s Commissioner General to the World Expo in Dubai and facilitated engagement opportunities for government representatives, business councils, investors and entrepreneurs. In previous roles, he held senior leadership positions and delivered global programs with the Department of Defence.
Joining the seven-member TIQ board for the first time are Indigenous business leaders Jack Reis and Delvene Cockatoo-Collins.
Mr Reis is a proud Badulaig man with heritage stemming from Badu Island in the Torres Strait. He was the inaugural 2022 Supply Nation Indigenous Entrepreneur of Australia and the 2023 Indigenous cyber security executive of Australia.
Ms Cockatoo-Collins is a proud Quandamooka woman from North Stradbroke Island in Queensland’s South-East who expresses the stories of her family’s lived experience on Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island) and responds artistically to historical images and texts.
She is the designer of the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games 2018 prize-winners’ medals, commemorative medal and the large inflatable Migalu (white humpback whale) that featured in the opening ceremony.
Deputy chair Kate Hynes has concluded her term after a number of years on the board, as has Michele Fleming. Meanwhile, Professor Scott Sheppard’s tenure on the TIQ board has been extended for a further two years.
Delvene Cockatoo-Collins and Jack Reis are foundation members of TIQ’s First Nations Advisory Committee. Photo: X/@tradeinvestqld.
Special advisers named by QLD Government to examine CS Energy
Commercial law specialist Tom Fletcher and electrical engineering expert Howard Morrison have been appointed as special advisers to examine CS Energy and report back to the Queensland Government on how it can better perform.
CS Energy is an Australia-based electricity-generating company fully owned by the Queensland Government, with its head office in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane. The appointments came out as the final investigation report into the 2022 Callide C3 partial cooling tower collapse was released.
Upon publication of the draft report, authored by Brady Heywood, the government committed to a review into publicly owned generation businesses to ensure they are aligned to deliver on the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan, to optimise energy transition, and to ensure downward pressure on consumer prices while maintaining operating and business performance.
The review will be led by Queensland Treasury alongside the Queensland Treasury Corporation and the Department of Energy and Climate, and is expected to report to government ahead of the 2025 State Budget. The government has also advised it will seek to take public ownership of 100 per cent of the Callide C power station from the private joint venture partner.
Engineering expert Howard Morrison (left) is currently a member of the Stanwell board and will step down from the board to perform the CS Energy review. Lawyer Tom Fletcher is a partner at MinterEllison in Brisbane, leading its dispute resolution practice in energy and resources matters. Photo: LinkedIn.
New director to lead South Australia’s Legal Services Commission
Annmarie Lumsden has been appointed as director of the Legal Services Commission in South Australia.
The commission is South Australia’s largest legal assistance service, offering services including legal information, advice, education, dispute resolution and legal representation in the areas of family law, criminal law and civil law.
Ms Lumsden has worked in the legal profession for more than 30 years, including time with the ACT Attorney-General’s Department, a tenure as deputy chief executive and, subsequently, director of criminal law with Legal Aid NSW and most recently as CEO of Legal Aid NT.
Annmarie Lumsden is set to begin work at the Legal Services Commission in South Australia at the start of September, ensuring a brief handover period with outgoing director Gabrielle Canny. Photo: Law Society of NSW.
Northern Territory Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner appointed
In March 2023, the Northern Territory (NT) Government split the tri-service of police, fire and emergency services into two standalone agencies.
This separation was done to modernise how the community is protected, streamlining direction, focus and resources.
Andrew Warton was appointed as interim chief executive officer of the Northern Territory Fire and Emergency Services, but will now sit as its permanent Commissioner.
Andrew Warton has a wealth of experience in crisis management, having responded to multiple cyclone emergencies and floods across the NT. Photo: LinkedIn/Andrew Warton.
New judges join the Northern Territory Local Court
Dr Anthony Hopkins and Julie Franz have been appointed by Attorney-General Chansey Paech to the NT Local Court.
Judge Hopkins began his legal career in the Northern Territory as a legal practitioner at the NT Legal Aid Commission and the Central Australian Aboriginal Legal Aid Service. He joined the Australian Capital Territory Bar in 2010 and was appointed as a Special Magistrate in 2021, convening the Galambany Court.
Judge Franz, who has lived in the Northern Territory since 1996, held several positions in the legal sector before establishing a private law firm in 2013. She served as a partner and company director with Darwin Family Law until January this year when she accepted a contract position as an Acting Local Court Judge based at the Darwin Local Court.
Dr Anthony Hopkins returns to the Northern Territory from Canberra where he has most recently served as an Acting Justice in the ACT Supreme Court, while Julie Franz has been an Acting Local Court Judge in Darwin. Photo: ANU/Darwin Family Law.
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.
Eligibility requirements for tax practitioner registration
The Federal Government has released a consultation paper reviewing the Tax Practitioners Board (TPB) registration requirements for tax practitioners, following revelations of the PwC scandal. The paper focuses on the education, qualification and experience requirements for new entrants and existing practitioners. Feedback from the public is open until 7 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 (24 July):
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Getting the NDIS Back on Track No. 1) Bill 2024 – Community Affairs Legislation Committee
Time: TBA; Chamber: Senate; Location: TBD.
Shutdown of the 3G mobile network – Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee
Time: 9 am – 4 pm; Chamber: Senate; Location: Committee Room 2S3, Parliament House, Canberra, ACT.
Right-wing extremist movements in Australia – Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee
Time: 8:45 am – 6:30 pm; Chamber: Senate; Location: Committee Room 2S1, Parliament House, Canberra, ACT.
Inquiry into civics, education, engagement and participation in Australia – Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters
Time: TBA; Chamber: Joint; Location: Peninsula Room, Hilton Garden Inn, Darwin, NT.
Inquiry into the challenges and opportunities within the Australian live music industry – Standing Committee on Communications and the Arts
Time: 9:40 am – 4 pm; Chamber: House; Location: Bristol Room, Royal on the Park Hotel, 152 Alice Street, Brisbane, QLD.
Insurers’ responses to 2022 major floods claims – Standing Committee on Economics
Time: 9 am – 4 pm; Chamber: House; Location: Cairns RSL – Catalina Room, 115-119 The Esplanade, Cairns, QLD.
Treasury Laws Amendment (Responsible Buy Now Pay Later and Other Measures) Bill 2024 – Economics Legislation Committee
Time: TBA; Chamber: Senate; Location: Main Committee Room, Parliament House, Canberra, ACT.
Thursday (25 July):
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Getting the NDIS Back on Track No. 1) Bill 2024 – Community Affairs Legislation Committee
Time: TBA; Chamber: Senate; Location: TBD.
Inquiry into civics education, engagement, and participation in Australia – Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters
Time: TBA; Chamber: Joint; Location: Bolands 5, The Bolands Centre, Cairns, QLD.
Inquiry into the challenges and opportunities within the Australian live music industry – Standing Committee on Communications and the Arts
Time: 9 am – 4:30 pm; Chamber: House; Location: State Library of NSW, Map Rooms – The Michael Crouch Room, 1 Shakespeare Place, Sydney, NSW.
Inquiry into the transition to electric vehicles – Standing Committee on Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water
Time: 9 am – 4:30 pm; Chamber: House; Location: Sydney Masonic Centre, Remington Room, 66 Goulburn Street, Sydney, NSW.
Inquiry into local government sustainability – Standing Committee on Regional Development, Infrastructure and Transport
Time: 9:30 am – 2 pm; Chamber: House; Location: Committee Room 1R3, Parliament House, Canberra, ACT.
Insurers’ responses to 2022 major floods claims – Standing Committee on Economics
Time: 9:15 am – 11:45 am; Chamber: House; Location: Townsville RSL – Jezzines Function Room, 139 Charters Towers Road, Hyde Park, Townsville, QLD.
Friday (26 July):
Inquiry into the challenges and opportunities within the Australian live music industry – Standing Committee on Communications and the Arts
Time: 9 am – 4:20 pm; Chamber: House; Location: State Library of NSW, Map Rooms – The Michael Crouch Room, 1 Shakespeare Place, Sydney, NSW.
Inquiry into the transition to electric vehicles – Standing Committee on Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water
Time: 9 am – 9:45 am; Chamber: House; Location: Sydney Masonic Centre, Remington Room, 66 Goulburn Street, Sydney, NSW.
Nature Positive (Environment Protection Australia) Bill 2024 [Provisions] and related bills – Environment and Communications Legislation Committee
Time: TBA; Chamber: Senate; Location: Committee Room 2S3, Parliament House, Canberra, ACT.
Monday (29 July):
Inquiry into compulsory income management – Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights
Time: 1 – 3:01 pm; Chamber: Joint; Location: Committee Room 2S3, Parliament House, Canberra, ACT.
Issues related to menopause and perimenopause – Community Affairs References Committee
Time: TBA; Chamber: Senate; Location: Brisbane, QLD.
Tuesday (30 July):
Criminal Code Amendment (Genocide, Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes) Bill 2024 – Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee
Time: TBA; Chamber: Senate; Location: Committee Room 2S1, Parliament House, Canberra, ACT.
Issues related to menopause and perimenopause – Community Affairs References Committee
Time: TBA; Chamber: Senate; Location: Committee Room 2S3, Parliament House, Canberra, ACT.
