A breakdown of the latest appointments in the Australian Public Service.
APS Senior Executive Service
Band 1
Kari Ellis is the new Commander of Eastern Trade at the Department of Home Affairs.
The Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC) has appointed its chief financial officer.
Kellie Sheriff has been made an assistant secretary at the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
The Australian Government Solicitor now has Stacey Hahn, Nicolette Strauss and Emily Bell as senior executive lawyers.
Lara Wood Gladwin, Susan Kibukamusoke, Ryan Wickson and Amanda Day are new branch managers at the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA).
Band 2
Richard Fleming has been promoted to general counsel at the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA).
The Department of Finance now has Paul Pfitzner as first assistant secretary.
Band 3
The Department of Home Affairs has appointed Clare Sharp as general counsel.
Other federal
Net Zero Economy Authority Board announced as operations begin
As operations begin for the inaugural Net Zero Economy Authority with CEO David Shankey at its head, the Federal Government has also established its board.
The appointed members are chair Dr Iain Ross AO, Tony Maher, Mike Mrdak AO, Michele O’Neil, Professor Robynne Quiggin, Anna Skarbek and Zoe Whitton.
Board members were selected based on their collective experience across regional development, the trade union movement, business, industry, Indigenous advocacy and climate policy.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (left) and Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen introduced legislation to establish the Net Zero Economy Authority in March. Photo: PM Facebook.
Former Ag secretary appointed chair of Murray-Darling Authority
The Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) Board has a new chair following the retirement of Air Chief Marshal Sir Angus Houston.
Former Agriculture Department Secretary and NSW Agriculture Commissioner Daryl Quinlivan will take up the role from 23 December.
The Federal Government announced the appointment this week, noting Mr Quinlivan has extensive experience in public service governance and water resource management, including as a former member of the Murray-Darling Basin Commission.
Mr Quinlivan has been appointed chair of the Murray-Darling Basin Authority Board for a four-year term. Sir Angus, who joined as chair in 2020, will retire on 22 December.
Daryl Quinlivan is the new chair of the Murray-Darling Basin Authority. Photo: Department of Agriculture.
Government orders ‘short, sharp’ review into AUKUS nuclear submarine agency
The Federal Government has quietly appointed former Defence Department secretary and ambassador to the US Dennis Richardson to conduct a review into the Australian Submarine Agency (ASA).
Established just 18 months ago to deliver Virginia-class and SSN AUKUS nuclear-powered submarines to the Royal Australian Navy under AUKUS Pillar I, the agency is commanded by Navy Vice Admiral Johnathan Mead.
As reported in The Guardian Australia, the appointment of Mr Richardson comes after the resignation last month of ASA deputy director-general David Hallinan after concerns he had raised about the running of the agency.
Former defence secretary and ambassador to the US Dennis Richardson will conduct a “short, sharp” review of the Australian Submarine Agency. Photo: ADF.
Aged Care Quality and Safety Commissioner named
Liz Hefren-Webb has been appointed as the new Aged Care Quality and Safety Commissioner, starting 20 January, 2025.
The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commissioner is a critical role in leading the national regulator of aged care, protecting the health, safety and wellbeing of older people.
Ms Hefren-Webb is the current Deputy Secretary of Social Policy at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
Until she begins in the role, Janet Anderson PSM will continue in the position that reports directly to Aged Care Minister Anika Wells.
Since the beginning of 2019, Ms Anderson has led the commission through the implementation of the new Aged Care Quality Standards, the establishment of the Serious Incident Response Scheme, 24/7 registered nurse coverage and mandatory care minutes.
Liz Hefren-Webb previously held senior leadership roles at the Department of Social Services and other Federal Government agencies. Photo: Instagram.
New leadership for the Australian Institute of Family Studies
The Federal Government has appointed Elizabeth Neville as the new director of the Australian Institute of Family Studies for a five-year term.
Since June 2023, Ms Neville has been acting in the position after working as head of the Children’s Taskforce in the National Disability and Insurance Agency (NDIA).
AIFS is the Australian Government’s key research advisory agency in the area of family wellbeing. It is an independent statutory authority established in 1980 under the Family Law Act 1975.
The authority is a key source of advice on relevant policies and programs delivered by the Department of Social Services, which will soon have Michael Lye return as Secretary.
Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth said Elizabeth Neville’s (above) experience would ensure AIFS continued to inform government on best practice for the family services sector. Photo: The Sector.
Ahpra names five new board chairs
All the nation’s Health Ministers, as the Ministerial Council for the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme, have laid down 46 new appointments of chairs and board members to fill vacancies on 13 national boards.
In total, 85 appointments were made, which are listed in this communique.
Five new board chairs were also appointed:
- Dr Susan O’Dwyer, chair of the Medical Board of Australia
- Dr Cameron Phillips, chair of the Pharmacy Board of Australia
- Dr Simon Shanahan, chair of the Dental Board of Australia
- Dr Paula Harding, chair of the Physiotherapy Board of Australia
- Dr Kristy Robson, chair of the Podiatry Board of Australia.
They replace retiring national board chairs who were appointed in 2018 and have come to the end of their terms:
- Dr Anne Tonkin AO (Medical Board of Australia)
- Brett Simmonds (Pharmacy Board of Australia)
- Dr Murray Thomas (Dental Board of Australia)
- Kim Gibson (Physiotherapy Board of Australia)
- Professor Cylie Williams (Podiatry Board of Australia).
Board members appointed to Indigenous Business Australia
Darren Godwell (chair), Leah Cameron (director) and Olga Havnen (director) have been appointed to the board of Indigenous Business Australia (IBA).
Indigenous Business Australia plays a critical role in advancing the economic independence of First Nations people through expert business advice, tailored finance solutions and investment initiatives that empower individuals and businesses.
Mr Godwell is a Kokoberren man from North Queensland who is chief executive officer (CEO) of i2i Global, an Indigenous-owned and led advisory company. He was made a fellow of the Australian Institute of International Affairs (AIIA) in 2022 for advancing Indigenous interests in trade and investment and serves on the Indigenous Advisory Group at NAB.
Ms Cameron, a Palawa woman from Tasmania, is the managing director and principal solicitor of Marrawah Law. She specialises in property law (including native title and cultural heritage) and commercial law, but has also garnered experience outside the law as an Indigenous expert on the Australian Heritage Council.
Ms Havnen is a Western Arrernte woman who grew up in Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory. She has significant board experience as director of the Justice Reform Initiative and previously as a director of the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation, Clontarf Foundation and Stars Foundation. She has also had leadership roles in community-facing organisations, including as CEO of the Danila Dilba Health Service.
The Federal Government thanked outgoing chair Eddie Fry and directors Shirley McPherson and Richard Allert AO, along with Richard Callaghan, for their contributions to IBA. Photo: Facebook.
New judge to join Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia
Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus has announced the appointment of Dianne Simpson as a judge of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1), starting on 3 February, 2025, in the Sydney Registry.
She was admitted as a legal practitioner to the Supreme Court of Victoria in 1993, becoming an accredited specialist in family law in NSW in 2009.
Original Article published by James Day on PS News.
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