Former federal Industry minister Karen Andrews will join the University of Canberra as an adjunct professor, and has signalled work ahead in its engineering, science and innovation disciplines.
A mechanical engineer and industrial relations consultant, Ms Andrews was the longest holder of the Industry, Science and Technology portfolios in the then Morrison government, serving from 2018 to 2021.
Noted for her strong private sector engagement and as a strong advocate for the women in STEM, Ms Andrews oversaw the rollout of the $1.5 billion Modern Manufacturing Strategy and the $1.1 billion National Innovation and Science Agenda, before a cabinet reshuffle sent her to the Department of Home Affairs.
“My career has centred on engineering, science, industry, innovation and public policy, with a focus on how technical expertise informs public decision-making,” Ms Andrews said in a LinkedIn post announcing her appointment.
“I look forward to contributing to research and teaching activities in these areas”.
Ms Andrews is also currently director of medical aid charity the Medical Rescue Foundation, and serves on the board of the Australian Resources for Recovery Council and Women for Election.
ANZ’s top New Zealand executive Antonia Watson has announced plans to step down from the role in September after more than seven years in the role.
New Zealand’s largest bank, ANZ moved quickly on Friday to assure a smooth leadership transition ahead, announcing chief risk officer Ben Kelleher would succeed Ms Watson in the top job, subject to Reserve Bank of NZ and regulatory approval.
ANZ NZ chair Scott St John paid tribute to Ms Watson as “a steady hand and balanced industry voice” that had seen the company through the COVID era, a NZ government banking inquiry and multiple global economic shocks.
Tasmania’s Minister for Business, Industry and Resources Felix Ellis has added digital innovation and science to his portfolio responsibilities after a shock ministerial resignation last week prompted a sudden reshuffle.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff said he would farm out the four portfolios of departing minister Madeleine Ogilvie to existing cabinet members in an austerity measure he said would save the government over $1 million a year.
Ms Ogilvie resigned two weeks ago amidst revelations she had misled a state parliament hearing about her involvement in a supreme court case hearing.
Mr Ellis is also minister for Skills and Jobs, Police, Fire and Emergency Management.
Diraq has appointed veteran tech sector executive Scott A. McGregor as its new chair as it positions itself for a major scale up of activities and further expansion into the US market.
A lead executive on Microsoft’s first-generation Windows software, and the CEO behind major scale ups at semiconductor manufacturing firms including Phillips and Broadcom, the appointment is Mr McGregor’s first chair role in a decade.
Diraq CEO and founder Andrew Dzurak said Mr McGregor’s leadership would be critical to “global deployment of Diraq’s quantum computers”; Diraq has long touted a 2029 release for its first commercial product offering.
Mr McGregor succeeds Dr William Jeffrey, who will continue on Diraq’s board.
The Australian Public Service Commission has farewelled senior public servant Rachel Bacon, who has stepped down as deputy commissioner for integrity, reform and enabling services after almost three years.
Ms Bacon previously served as deputy secretary at the departments of Prime Minister and Cabinet and Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communication, Sports and Arts, and as deputy CEO of the Northern Territory department of Chief Minister and Cabinet.
A CSIRO digital lead Glynnis Barodien will move to the Department of Veterans Affairs where she will be director, data and AI governance.
Ms Barodien first joined the public service in 2005, going on to work in data management roles across five government agencies before joining the CSIRO in 2024.
Consultancy firm AZ Next Generation Advisory has welcomed Shaun Nesbitt as its new chief technology officer.
An alumnus of tech firm IBM, Mr Nesbitt was chief information technology officer of Health Support Queensland for five years through 2020, and most recently served as chief information and digital officer at Vital Business Partners.
Department of Defence is on the hunt for a cyber security advice and assessment analyst to work on the Hunter Class Frigate Project.
According to the job ad, the APS 6 level appointment is one of two cyber security experts coordinating across the project’s heady list of stakeholders, including head contractor BAE Systems Australia, the federal Joint Capabilities Group, the Royal Australian Navy and the Defence Security Division.
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