The federal government has a new acting national data commissioner in Andrew Lalor, who takes up the key role after a stint at the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.
Mr Lalor joined the Office of the National Data Commission this week, replacing Gayle Milnes. Ms Milnes served in the role for more than three years before her retirement in August.
Before the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, Mr Lalor spent two years leading public sector data policy at the Department of Finance and also worked on data policy at the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet before that.
His appointment comes as the government reviews the Data Availability and Transparency Act, which the former government passed on the last possible day before the 2022 federal election.
A draft findings and recommendations report, released mid-2025, recommended “broad expansions” to the sharing scheme to boost participation and accelerate the practical use of public sector data.
The Australian Taxation Office has appointed Marek Rucinski to the newly created role of deputy commissioner, enterprise risk, change, and integration. He will lead the integration of enterprise risk management, change enablement and evaluation functions.
According to an internal statement, the new enterprise-wide function has been established to strengthen the ATO’s organisational resilience, deepen its risk-maturity and enhance its ability to deliver complex, technology-enabled change.
Austrade is seeking a chief information and digital officer to drive the federal government agency’s “strategic digital transformation and [oversee] the effective delivery of technology services”.
The newly created role marks a structural shift within the agency, which is currently without a chief information officer. Its Digital and Technology Services function is currently headed up by Peter Dudok and Bill Notley.
Uniseed, Australia’s longest-running venture fund, has appointed Alastair Hick as chief executive officer. Dr Hick was previously Monash University’s chief commercialisation officer.
Edith Cowan University has appointed Paulo de Souza as deputy vice-chancellor (research). He has spent the last year-and-a-half as Executive Dean at the university, having joined from Griffith University in May 2024.
The university described Professor de Souza as a “visionary leader shaping the future of research, innovation and impact” in a LinkedIn post, pointing to his early achievements at the university.
“… Professor de Souza has elevated our national and global profile, strengthening partnerships with NASA and the Fraunhofer research network, boosting industry collaboration, and championing new opportunities for students…” ECU said.
UNSW is recruiting for its next pro vice-chancellor (research infrastructure). Gráinne Moran, who was appointed to the role in 2016, is currently serving as pro vice-chancellor (research infrastructure) at UNSW.
DroneShield has formed a United States Advisory Board comprising senior military and national security leaders, including retired high-ranking officers Mark Kelly and Gwyn Armfield.
The company says the appointments will strengthen the company’s strategic engagement with government and industry partners, providing advice on growth, policy engagement, and the adoption of counter-drone and electronic warfare technologies.
Melbourne-based product development and electronics engineering firm Extel Technologies has named Sammy Wallwork as its new chief growth officer, with a brief to expand the company’s design and manufacturing capabilities in Australia and the US.
Andy Wood has stepped down as Asia regional managing director – defence and intelligence at Microsoft, effective 26 October. Mr Wood acknowledged his colleagues and partners during his six year tenure in a LinkedIn post.
Tyro Payments has appointed Nigel Lee to replace outgoing chief executive officer Jon Davey from mid-January. Mr Less has over 25 years’ leadership experience across payments, fintech and digital sectors.
Nuix has appointed John Ruthven as interim CEO, replacing Jonathan Rubinsztein. Mr Ruthven was most recently CEO and managing director, Integrated Research Limited, and has held senior leadership roles across Australian and global technology companies.
With Justin Hendry
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