The latest senior public sector appointments from across the country.
Senior Executive Service
Band 1
Christopher Davern from the Department of Education has been promoted to assistant secretary.
Daniel Blackmore is now a national manager at Services Australia.
The Department of Defence has promoted Erin Stonestreet and Alexander Rothwell to SES band 1 roles with the capability acquisition & sustainment group.
The Australian Electoral Commission’s Melanie Hinde has been promoted to assistant commissioner for the strategic priorities branch.
The Australian Public Service Commission has lost principal psychologist Rachel McMahon to the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA), where she has accepted a new role as chief people officer.
Band 2
The NIAA has also promoted Nicholas Creagh to SES band 2 group manager.
Cairns-based Beth Cookson has been named Australia’s chief veterinary officer at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF).
Board refresh at MSQ
Two new board directors and a new chair have been appointed at Manufacturing Skills Queensland (MSQ).
Paul Cooper will take on the position of MSQ board chair. A current chair of Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre Ltd and owner and executive chair of industrial electronics manufacturing Rinstrum, he brings to the role more than 25 years’ experience in board positions in government, manufacturing, education, professional associations, health, and accounting.
Cooper has also chaired audit and risk committees and was deputy chair of the Export Council of Australia Ltd.
In a statement, Cooper said he was delighted to join a diverse board that reflected Queensland’s “vibrant and dynamic industry”.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to support Queenslanders to get the skills needed for emerging and traditional industries, ready to embrace new and emerging technologies and respond to economic opportunities or challenges,” Cooper said.
Stacey Schinnerl of the Australian Workers’ Union and Sheree Taylor of BlueScope Steel were appointed directors of the MSW board.
Building Commission NSW kicks off as standalone regulator
Commissioner David Chandler has been chosen to lead the new agency unveiled by the NSW Labor government to bring trust and integrity to the state’s construction sector.
The machinery of government changes de-merges the existing Office of the Building Commissioner away from Fair Trading to become a standalone agency in its own right. It also brings a staff headcount who are responsible for enforcing quality and standards in the building industry from 40 to more than 400.
The Building Commission, which commenced its operations on 4 December, was an election promise and received an initial $24 million in the 2023 state Budget to be established.
NSW premier Chris Minns outlined the agency’s mission in a statement. He said the independent commission would ensure builders and the homes they constructed in NSW were compliant, safe and durable.
“In recent years we’ve heard horror stories about defects in apartment buildings but we’re turning the tide with Building Commission NSW,” Minns said.
“The Building Commissioner has made a start restoring integrity, now we’ve given him the powers and resources he needs to get on with the job.”
New members join Industry Innovation and Science Australia board
Kate Glazebrook, Dr Cori Stewart and Professor Fang Chen have been appointed for three years respectively to the board responsible for advising the government on science, innovation and research matters.
The Industry Innovation and Science Australia (IISA) board supports the delivery of government priorities and works to facilitate greater collaboration between government, industry and the research sector.
Minister for industry and science Ed Husic said the new appointees would make a terrific contribution to the IISA board.
“I’m enormously grateful they’ve agreed to serve,” Husic said.
“Their mix of skills, knowledge and expertise will contribute greatly to the insightful advice that Industry Innovation and Science Australia provides to government to support the delivery of key priorities.”
The minister confirmed Dr Cathy Foley and Lauren Stafford were also reappointed to the board.
Queensland complaints clearing house to be led by former District Court judge
Michael Forde has been chosen to implement reform proposals made by Professor Peter Coaldrake in his ‘Let the sunshine in’ report.
Queensland premier Annastasia Palaszczuk accepted the report’s 14 recommendations last June.
Forde, a respected former judge will help undertake the government’s complaints management reform work and chair a new complaints oversight board, which will include members from integrity agencies such as the Queensland ombud, the CCC, and the information commissioner.
Mr Force joined the District Court bench in 1995 where he served 14 years before retiring in 2009. He was admitted as a barrister in 1974 and served the Bar of Queensland for 20 years.
“Mr Forde brings with him a wealth of knowledge, with decades of legal and judicial experience, and is well respected for his integrity and his advice,” Palaszczuk said.
“The work of Mr Forde will enhance Queensland’s strong integrity framework and assure Queenslanders of our government’s commitment to transparency, accountability and integrity.”
The government will support the new oversight board with a clearinghouse team to provide best-practice complaints handling, resolution, and transparency.
Treasurer names Chris Jordan’s replacement at the ATO
Rob Heferen will commence as commissioner of taxation, registrar of the Australian business register, the Australian business registry services, and register of foreign ownership of Australian assets next March. He is currently CEO of the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).
Jim Chalmers announced Heferen’s seven-year appointment to the roles on Thursday. In a statement, the treasurer said Heferen had previously worked at the ATO and served as the deputy secretary of Treasury’s revenue group between 2011 and 2016, where he had responsibility for tax policy, tax legislation and revenue forecasting.
“[Heferen’s] diverse experience across policy development and program delivery in a range of portfolios, as well as representing Australia in international forums, including the UN and OECD, will position Mr Heferen well as commissioner of taxation,” the treasurer said.
“The appointment comes after a thorough, methodical and considered selection process.
“We sincerely thank Chris Jordan for his outstanding contribution to the ATO over the past decade.”
Outgoing commissioner, Chris Jordan, congratulated his successor, noting that he would continue to deliver leading tax, super and registry services during his final months.
“I congratulate Rob on his appointment,” Jordan said.
“Being commissioner of taxation has been the highlight of my career and I am enormously proud of what the ATO has achieved over the past 10 years.”
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