A breakdown of the latest appointments, public hearings and open consultations in the Australian Public Service and the ACT.
APS Senior Executive Service
Band 1
The Department of Defence has made Katherine Thatcher an SES 1.
Kate Anderson has been promoted to senior assistant ombudsman at the Commonwealth Ombudsman.
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has appointed Sam Hamilton as deputy chief veterinary officer and Christopher Ipkendanz as an assistant secretary.
Other federal
New Australian Signals Directorate boss appointed
Abigail Bradshaw is the new Director-General of the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD), promoted from the deputy’s role to replace Rachel Noble, who has left the top job after almost five years.
Ms Bradshaw has served as Deputy Director-General of ASD and head of ASD’s Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) since March 2020.
The ACSC is the Australian Government’s technical authority on cyber security. It provides an avenue for organisations large and small to partner with the government and adopt a security framework to protect their information technology and operational technology systems, applications and data from cyber threats.
Abigail Bradshaw has led ASD’s response to nationally significant cyber security incidents and has spearheaded the government’s cyber security partnership with industry. Photo: ASD.
Appointment of Independent Administrator to CFMEU
Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus has appointed lawyer Mark Irving KC as the administrator of the Construction and General Division of the CFMEU.
His appointment came with the order to place all branches of the CFMEU Division into administration following revelations that organised crime had infiltrated the Victorian branch of the country-wide union.
Mr Irving has been a barrister since 1997 and was appointed senior counsel in 2017. He specialises in employment, industrial and anti-discrimination law.
The Melbourne-based silk has extensive experience in acting against those who have engaged in corrupt conduct within unions and within employer organisations.
Mark Irving was the counsel for the Health Services Union in a series of cases concerning corruption by senior officers. Photo: LinkedIn.
Independent review of the NAIF begins
The Federal Government has announced the start of an independent review into the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility Act 2016 (NAIF).
NAIF is a development financier that provides financial assistance to infrastructure projects in northern Australia to drive public benefit and economic and population growth, as well as materially improve the lives of First Nations people.
Northern Australia Minister Madeleine King has appointed former Member for Lingiari Warren Snowdon to lead the review. Mr Snowdon will be supported by a panel comprising Professor Peter Yu from Western Australia and Dr Lisa Caffery from Queensland.
The panel will conduct the review over the next five months, undertaking targeted stakeholder consultation across the north.
The review is a requirement under the act and will make recommendations to government, including on how to best continue to support investment that delivers economic and community benefits to northern Australia.
New director appointed to Bundanon Trust Board
Navleen Prasad has been appointed director of the Bundanon Trust Board for a three-year term.
Bundanon Trust is an Australian cultural institution and living arts centre that supports the arts through its residency, education, exhibition and performance programs.
The Bundanon collection and properties were gifted in trust to the Commonwealth in 1993 by renowned Australian artist Arthur Boyd and his wife, Yvonne.
Ms Prasad is chief executive officer of the Australian Investment Council and a director on the board of the Sydney Youth Orchestras. In 2022, she was appointed as a member of the Investor Roundtable by Treasurer Jim Chalmers, to identify and unlock investment opportunities in national priority areas.
Navleen Prasad has previously worked at Macquarie Group and has extensive experience in engagement, the intersection of public and private funding, media and communications, and human capital. Photo: Australian Investment Council.
Nature Repair Committee established
The Federal Government has announced the appointment of the Nature Repair Committee, which comprises:
- Stephen McCutcheon (chair)
- Dr James Fitzsimons
- Brendan Foran
- Tyronne Garstone
- Fiona Simson
- Siobhan Toohill.
The committee provides independent, expert advice to Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek on agriculture, biological or ecological science, economics, environmental markets, Indigenous knowledge and land management.
Its responsibilities include: advising the minister on the development and prioritisation of methods and biodiversity assessment instruments; assessing compliance of methods with biodiversity integrity standards; and undertaking reviews and public consultation on key elements of the Nature Repair Market scheme.
Chief Scientist to lead expert methane reporting panel
The Federal Government has appointed Chief Scientist Dr Cathy Foley AO PSM to lead an expert panel as part of its broader efforts to ensure the ongoing reporting for methane and other greenhouse gases is accurate and transparent.
Recently the Commonwealth released its response to the recommendations of the 2023 review of the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting (NGER) scheme conducted by the independent Climate Change Authority (CCA). This review had a particular focus on the integrity of methane measurement following a written request by the Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen last year.
The CCA made 25 recommendations for the NGER scheme, of which the Commonwealth agreed in full or in principle to adopt 24 and noted one.
One of the recommendations was to establish an expert panel to advise the Commonwealth on the potential role atmospheric measurement approaches could play in further enhancing Australia’s fossil methane emissions estimation.
Dr Cathy Foley became Australia’s ninth Chief Scientist in January 2021 after a lengthy career at the CSIRO. Photo: CSIRO/Nicholas Kachel.
Independent reviews of critical shipping legislation underway
The Federal Government has appointed Lynelle Briggs and Professor Nicholas Gaskell to co-chair the reviews of the Shipping Registration Act 1981 and Coastal Trading (Revitalising Australian Shipping) Act 2012.
A commitment was made to review both acts as part of the government’s response to the Strategic Fleet Taskforce report, ensuring they reflect modern regulatory best practice for shipping registration and coastal trading.
Ms Briggs has strong review, maritime and transport experience, most recently leading the review of public sector board appointments in 2023 and as the Royal Commissioner on Aged Care Quality and Safety.
Professor Gaskell is a maritime lawyer with extensive experience in international shipping practice and in analysing merchant shipping legislation for governments, industry and practitioners.
Their report to the government on the acts is due in six months.
Kaylene Dale takes the helm at AMSA
The Federal Government has welcomed Kaylene Dale as the new CEO of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), replacing Mick Kinley on 1 October.
As Australia’s national regulatory body, AMSA promotes the safety and protection of the marine environment and combat ship-sourced pollution. It provides the infrastructure for safety of navigation in Australian waters, and maintains a national search-and-rescue service for the maritime and aviation sectors.
Ms Dale has worked with AMSA’s search-and-rescue functions as part of her role at the Australian Border Force, where she has held a number of leadership positions – most recently as the Deputy Commissioner for strategy and capability.
In 2021-22, Kaylene Dale led the Office for Women in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, with a focus on advancing workforce participation, economic security and safety. Photo: ANZSOG.
Open for consultation
Future of Government service delivery
The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet is inviting feedback from across the Australian community in its new survey set to inform its long-term Insights Briefing. Participation in the survey to align government service delivery with the needs of Australians will remain open until 1 September.
Truth and Justice Commission Bill
The Joint Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs is seeking submissions to its parliamentary inquiry into the Truth and Justice Commission Bill 2024, introduced by Yamatji-Noongar Senator Dorinda Cox.
The bill proposes to establish a Federal Truth and Justice Commission, which would provide a national framework for truth-telling about the history and impacts of colonisation, dispossession and systemic racism on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The commission would also make recommendations on how to advance justice, healing, raise awareness and increase public understanding, and reconciliation for First Nations communities and the wider Australian society.
Submissions are welcome until 6 September.
Draft Sustainable Ocean Plan
The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water is developing a Sustainable Ocean Plan for Australia. Its goal is to support the government as it meets the increasingly complex challenges facing the ocean and economy that relies on it from now into the future. Consultation closes on 13 September.
NACC surveys public sector on corruption issues
The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) is calling on Commonwealth public sector staff to participate in Australia’s first Commonwealth Integrity Survey, which is open until 20 September.
The online survey asks Commonwealth public sector employees about 30 questions that focus on their knowledge, experiences and perceptions of integrity and corruption issues in their agencies.
The survey fills a gap in the Commonwealth public sector integrity landscape. Data exists on experiences of fraud and corruption by agencies, but the Commonwealth Integrity Survey focuses on the experiences and perceptions of staff members. This combined data will provide a more accurate picture of unreported corruption as well as integrity risks.
Template CLG constitution for ACNC
The Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) is reviewing its template constitution for public companies limited by guarantee, or CLGs. It aims to provide charities that are CLGs with a document that they can adapt for their own use when developing or modifying their constitution. Responses to the short survey will remain open until 23 September.
Maugean skate listing assessment
The Threatened Species Scientific Committee is seeking comments on the assessment of Zearaja maugeana (Maugean skate). Public consultation will be open until 26 September.
National Safety and Quality Medical Imaging Standards
The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care is undertaking a consultation on the National Safety and Quality Medical Imaging (NSQMI) Standards. These standards will replace the Diagnostic Imaging Accreditation Scheme Standards. Stage 1 of consultation is open until 27 September, with Stage 2 starting in October.
Gorgon gas development: Backfill fields offshore project proposal
Chevron Australia Pty Ltd is the operator of the Gorgon gas development, one of Australia’s largest natural gas projects, located off the northwest coast of Western Australia. A backfill field is a supply of natural gas that is required to maintain the throughput to an operating facility.
The intent of this backfill development is to maintain gas supply to the existing gas plants on Barrow Island to sustain current production rates of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and domestic gas. Public comment on the proposal is open until 1 November.
For information on the ACT government projects open for consultation, follow the links below:
Federal Parliament Public Hearings
Wednesday (28 August):
Inquiry into the importance of Antarctica to Australia’s national interests – Joint Standing Committee on the National Capital and External Territories
Time: 11 am – 3:15 pm; Chamber: Joint; Location: Committee Room 1R3, Parliament House, Canberra, ACT.
Impact and mitigation of aircraft noise – Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee
Time: 9 am – 2 pm; Chamber: Senate; Location: Wapping Room, The Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel, 1 Macquarie Street, Hobart, TAS.
Thursday (29 August):
Review of Australia’s four major banks – Standing Committee on Economics
Time: 9:15 am – 5 pm; Chamber: House; Location: Main Committee Room, Parliament House, Canberra, ACT.
Friday (30 August):
Review of Australia’s four major banks – Standing Committee on Economics
Time: 9:15 am – 5 pm; Chamber: House; Location: Main Committee Room, Parliament House, Canberra, ACT.
Original Article published by James Day on PS News.
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