Google Australia’s former policy boss has moved to the tech sector’s lobby group as it sharpens its government relations ahead of new platform rules.
Lucinda Longcroft, who spent five years as Google’s local policy and government relations lead, joined the Tech Council of Australia late last year.
Ms Longcroft regularly fronted Parliament on behalf of the tech giant amid a period of significant tech reforms like the introduction of a News Media Bargaining Code and an age ban on social media.
While facing Senate questioning on Google’s AI policies in 2024, Ms Longcroft had to awkwardly shut off an AI chatbot that interrupted her evidence, and later denied the technology was helping her provide answers.
She joins a Tech Council that represents Google and other US giants as well as the local sector, as it tries to shape upcoming digital competition rules and Labor’s news tax on platform giants.
The Tech Council’s acting policy head, Madeleine Houghton, has been promoted to head of regulatory affairs as part of the changes.
The lobby group is believed to be close to appointing its next CEO after former Afterpay executive Damian Kassabgi stood down late last year.
One of the TCA’s first calls this year could be to Shervin Rafizadeh, the new chief of staff to Cabinet Secretary and Assistant Minister for Science, Technology and the Digital Economy Andrew Charlton.
Mr Rafizadeh, a long time government adviser in the communications portfolio joins Dr Charlton from Michelle Rowland’s office, where he was chief of staff during her time as Communications minister and Attorney General.
Australian Public Service Commissioner Gordon de Brouwer on Friday announced his unexpected early resignation, just two years into his five year term.
Mr de Brouwer focused his time on cleaning up a public service rocked by the Robodebt scandal and other integrity issues like disgraced secretary Mike Pezzullo.
“As Commissioner, I have dealt with misconduct by senior public servants, and I stand by the propriety and handling of these investigations,” he said in a statement.
“Ensuring that senior public servants remain accountable for their conduct strengthens the public service as an institution and supports public trust.”
The government has reappointed Kurt Fearnley as chair of the National Disability Insurance Agency Board as it ushers in major reforms to the scheme.
The government has also reappointed Sue McCarrey as CEO of the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority for a further three years.
Consulting giant BCG has kicked of 2026 with at least five new managing directors and partners, including senior public sector and technology practice leader Daniel Baker.
Mr Barker is a former Accenture consultant and a founding member of BCG’s Centre for Digital Government.
He is reportedly joined by Andrew Asten, Edzard Wesselink, Andreas Keller, Daniel Baker and Kim Kennewell in the round of promotions at BCG.
Construction and development firm McNabb has welcomed new tech leaders in Ian Van Dyk as chief technology officer and Georgina North as head of robotics, automation and data.
Silicon Quantum Computing has a new head of media and public relations, as it vies to build build the world’s first quantum computer under leader Professor Michelle Simmons.
The Sydney deep tech has hired Noah Bethke, who helped spread the word about several US tech companies before arriving in Australia last year.
ASX-listed business data firm Aspermont this week announced Michael Brown as its board chair, following the passing of the company’s founder chairman Andrew Kent.
Sydney biotech Tetratherix, which manufacturers tissue and bone repair treatment and successfully listed on the ASX last year, has added Maurizio Vecchione as an independent non-executive director.
A 30-year biomedicine veteran, Mr Vecchione brings a wealth of experience in building startups and commercialising MedTech, the company said.
The Australian Technology Network of Universities has appointed Andy Marks as its executive director.
Dr Marks joins the industry and innovation focused universities group, which counts Newcastle, UTS, RMIT Deakin and Curtin as members, this month.
The University of Sydney meanwhile has named Professor Mike Ryan as its new Deputy Vice‑Chancellor (Research). A recognised biochemist and molecular biologist, he joins from Monash where he directed a strategy that generated “sector leading” grant outcomes, his new university said.
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