A breakdown of the latest appointments, public hearings and open consultations in the Australian Public Service and across the ACT public sector.
APS Senior Executive Service
Band 1
The Office of National Intelligence has promoted one anonymous public servant to SES 1.
Mary Hodge and Alexandra Buckley have been made branch head managers at the Department of Social Services (DSS) for community cohesion and disability employment policy, respectively.
The Australian Research Council now has Alison Beasley and Geraldine Dennis as branch managers.
Sarah Bruce, Rossana Carr, Rachel Granton-Smith, Susannah Collins, Luke Osborne and Jemma Martin have been appointed to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry as new assistant secretaries.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has promoted Victoria Young and Sean Starmer to assistant secretaries.
Band 2
Arthur Spyrou is a new first assistant secretary of the ministerial support division within Prime Minister and Cabinet (PMC).
The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) has appointed Elizabeth Brayshaw and Adam Shain as first assistant secretaries.
Michael Howell and Suzanne Kerrigan have been lifted to SES 2 in the Department of Defence.
Other federal
Former Queensland premier made director of Australia Post board
Communications Minister Michelle Rowlands MP has welcomed the appointment of Annastacia Palaszczuk as a non-executive director to the Australian Post board for a three-year term.
Ms Palaszczuk was the premier of Queensland from 2015 to 2023 and held various ministerial roles in the Queensland government, including Minister for Trade and Minister for Transport.
Annastacia Palaszczuk is filling the vacancy left by Tony Nutt AO, who completed his two terms as a non-executive director. Photo: File.
Toni Pirani is the new Freedom of Information Commissioner
Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus has announced the appointment of Toni Pirani as the new Freedom of Information (FOI) Commissioner at the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC).
Ms Pirani is currently serving as Special Adviser, Freedom of Information Decisions with the OAIC and has previously served as acting FOI Commissioner. The Attorney-General said she had made an outstanding contribution to the work of the agency in these roles and brought considerable Commonwealth sector experience.
Toni Pirani began her 12-month appointment as the Freedom of Information (FOI) Commissioner on 16 August. Photo: OAIC.
Charlotte Webb is the first full-time Defence Family Advocate
Veterans’ Affairs Minister Matt Keogh has announced the appointment of Charlotte Webb as the new head of Defence Families of Australia, which was recently upgraded to a full-time advocacy role.
The Defence Family Advocate gives advice to government and Defence on families’ concerns, provides a forum for families to raise matters and assists families in accessing the Defence information they need.
Ms Webb has long been actively involved in the Defence community, both as a Defence family member and as an Army Reservist. In her most recent work, she successfully delivered support and services to veterans and families in the Riverina and implemented initiatives to better support the veteran and family community across NSW.
Charlotte Webb has replaced Sandi Laaksonen-Sherrin, who “Defence families benefited greatly from”, according to Minister Matt Keogh. Photo: Facebook/RSL LifeCare.
AHPRA CEO Martin Fletcher retires after 15 years
The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) CEO Martin Fletcher will end his term in December after 15 years in the inaugural role.
Having supported the agency from its genesis to its current status as a “global leader” in multi-profession health practitioner regulation, Mr Fletcher said it was time for a new “CEO to approach emerging frontiers including AI in healthcare, global workforce shortages and rapidly evolving ways of delivering health services”.
AHPRA chair Gill Callister PSM said the board would now start a global search for a new CEO to lead the agency into a new era.
Martin Fletcher was appointed in 2010 to establish and lead AHPRA, with a six-month deadline, after Australian governments committed to creating a National Registration and Accreditation Scheme in 2008. Photo: RACGP.
Rebecca Skinner appointed Independent Reviewer into Woomera Prohibited Area
The Federal Government is undertaking an independent review into the settings of the Woomera Prohibited Area in South Australia to ensure it remains fit for purpose and meets Australia’s national security requirements.
The Woomera Prohibited Area, north-west of Adelaide, is a critical Defence site used for the testing of advanced and emerging Defence capabilities. It is also a place of national significance for Aboriginal cultural heritage, and home to pastoral and mining operations, while also hosting significant scientific and environmental research, prospecting and tourism.
The Woomera Prohibited Area Rule 2014 (the Rule) underpins the coexistence arrangements that seek to balance the interests of all users in the Woomera Prohibited Area. In accordance with the Legislation Act 2003, this Rule will sunset in October 2026.
The government has appointed Rebecca Skinner to lead a review into the Woomera Prohibited Area Rule, to ensure the coexistence arrangements meet the contemporary needs of the Australian Defence Force into the future and serve the requirements of all stakeholders.
The review will involve comprehensive consultation with stakeholders with interests in the Woomera Prohibited Area, as well as close engagement with the South Australian Government. This will include written submissions. It is expected the review will be handed to government by mid-2025.
Rebecca Skinner is a former CEO of Services Australia and senior executive in the Defence Department. Photo: IPAA.
Appointment to Board of Taxation
The Federal Government has reappointed Ian Kellock as a part‑time member of the Board of Taxation for a three‑year period.
Mr Kellock is a tax partner at Ashurst with more than 25 years’ experience as a tax professional and with expertise on a range of issues such as mergers and acquisitions, corporate restructures, financing and funds. He has been a member of the board since 12 May, 2021.
Two new Jobs and Skills Australia Deputy Commissioners
Megan Lilly and Trevor Gauld have been appointed as new Deputy Commissioners of Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA).
They’ll be expected to facilitate connections and networks across the national skills system, involving the Commonwealth, state and territory governments, industry, employers, unions and training providers.
Ms Lilly is currently the executive director – Centre for Education & Training at The Australian Industry Group (Ai Group). Mr Gauld is currently the national assistant secretary of the Electrical Trades Union and has worked as an electrical tradesperson across different sectors within the electrical industry, including power distribution, transmission, electrical maintenance, and industrial construction.
New Fair Work Commission appointments
Terri Butler and Damian Sloan have been appointed as Deputy President and Commissioner of the Fair Work Commission, respectively.
Both have been appointed until they reach the statutory retirement age of 65.
Ms Butler has served as an Industrial Commissioner with the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission since January 2024. Mr Sloan has served as a Commissioner of the New South Wales Industrial Relations Commission since 2018.
Professor Behrendt AO appointed chair of the National Library of Australia Council
Celebrated Australian author and filmmaker Professor Larissa Behrendt AO has been made chair of the National Library of Australia Council from November 2024.
Dr Brett Mason has also been reappointed as a member of the council, where he has served since 2018, and will continue as chair until Professor Behrendt’s term begins.
The council, established by the National Library Act 1960, is the National Library’s governing body and is responsible for setting the overall strategic direction of the library.
Professor Behrendt is a laureate fellow at the University of Technology Sydney, where she established the research arm of the Jumbunna Institute, a pioneer Indigenous-led research centre. Photo: AHRC.
Major appointments ahead of Administrative Review Tribunal opening
Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus has announced 14 October as the start date of the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART), with Michael Hawkins AM as its inaugural CEO and principal registrar.
The Attorney-General congratulated Mr Hawkins on his appointment and thanked him for his leadership as registrar of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) in its work towards establishing the ART.
Alongside Mr Hawkins, who also served as a part-time AAT member from 2016 to 2022, there will be 20 new members at the ART, comprising seven senior members and 13 general members.
Meanwhile, 17 new members at the AAT, comprising one senior member and 16 general members, are to begin their roles from 30 September.
Open for consultation
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.
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.
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 link below:
Federal Parliament Public Hearings
Wednesday (21 August):
Food and Beverage Manufacturing in Australia – House Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Resources
Time: 8:30 – 9:20 am; Chamber: House; Location: Committee Room 2R2, Parliament House, Canberra, ACT.
Thursday (22 August):
Inquiry into local government sustainability – Standing Committee on Regional Development, Infrastructure and Transport
Time: 11:05 am – 12 pm; Chamber: House; Location: Committee Room 1R3, Parliament House, Canberra, ACT.
Friday (23 August):
Inquiry into the understanding and utilisation of benefits under Free Trade Agreements – Joint Standing Committee On Trade and Investment Growth
Time: 9 am – 12:40 pm; Chamber: Joint; Location: Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House, Canberra, ACT.
Monday (26 August):
Education Services for Overseas Students Amendment (Quality and Integrity) Bill 2024 [Provisions] – Education and Employment Legislation Committee
Time: TBA; Chamber: Senate; Location: Macquarie Room, NSW Parliament, 6 Macquarie Street, Sydney, NSW.
Original Article published by James Day on PS News.
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