In other news:

• My Health Record cyber chief takes flight
• Council can’t find suitable GM
• Cyber warfare boss joins Macquarie Telecom

ASIC welcomes new chair and deputy

Corporate lawyer Joe Longo has been appointed as the next chair of ASIC, replacing James Shipton who agreed to leave the corporate regulator last year after a relocation expenses probe.

Mr Longo was ASIC’s national director of enforcement between 1996-2000 before joining law firm Herbert Smith Freehills.

Mr Shipton says Mr Longo’s domestic and international experience in global banking and financial regulation will serve ASIC well during covid recovery.

Meanwhile, ACCC commissioner Sarah Court will join as deputy chairman after 13 years with the competition regulator, replacing Daniel Crennan who stood aside over his involvement in the relocation expenses scandal.

Mr Longo and Ms Court will both serve a five year term.

Council can’t find suitable GM

Wingecarribee Shire Council in the NSW southern highlands is re-advertising for a new general manager after being unable to find a suitable candidate.

Interim Administrator Viv May says he received 46 applications during recruitment earlier this year but “was not confident in making a suitable appointment”.

He says he’s asked for the position be re-advertsied so it can be filled in time for the incoming Council in September.

Despite the lack of success so far he says he’s confident of attracting a candidate “of a suitable calibre” to restore the proper functioning of Council, which was suspended on March 12 amid bullying allegations.

Acting General Manager Barry Paull stood aside last month while police investigated an alleged incident at a pub and Les McMahon is acting in the role.

Mr May is also encouraging some existing applicants to reconsider their responses to the original criteria and re-submit their application.

Applications close on Monday May 10.

Appointments to the Climate Change Authority

The man who steered the King Review on low cost emissions reduction will chair the Climate Change Authority for the next four years.

Former Business Council of Australia president Grant King brings 40 years’ experience in energy, finance, infrastructure and sustainability. He is currently Chairman of HSBC Australia, CWP Renewables and GreenCollar, and previously held leadership roles at Origin Energy and Boral.

He continues to serve as a member of the Government’s Technology Investment Roadmap Advisory Council.

Emissions reduction minister Angus Taylor says the role will enable Mr King to continue to contribute to the development of the national emissions reduction policy framework.

Mr King is joined at the Authority by new members Susie Smith and John McGee.

Ms Smith is currently CEO of the Australian Industry Greenhouse Network and was also a member of the King Review expert panel.

Mr McGee was most recently the Managing Director of Bank of New York Australia and previously served as a director at Air Services Australia, the Private Health Insurance Administrative Council and Westpac Funds Management.

Mr Taylor thanked departing Chair Dr Wendy Craik and outgoing members Kate Carnell, Stuart Allison and John Sharp.

Cyberwarfare boss joins Macquarie Telecom

Macquarie Telecom Group has appointed the former head of the Australian Defence Force information warfare division, Major General Marcus Thompson as a senior advisor to the federal government.  

Dr Thompson departed IWD last year after four years of providing defensive and offensive cyber capabilities to the ADF.

In his role on the telecommunications company’s newly established advisory body he’ll advocate for onshore digital supply chains and sovereign cyber capability.

“Macquarie shares my view that cyber security needs to transform from a fleeting thought in the national psyche to an issue that is front and centre with the private sector, government and the population at large, Dr Thompson said.

Macquarie Telecom Group CEO David Tudehope welcomed the appointment.

“Marcus embodies what we value most – maximising Australia’s sovereign skills and capabilities, and keeping Australian data stored and protected onshore,” he said.

New appointments at air safety regulator

Senior public servant Pip Spence has been appointed CEO and Director of Aviation Services at the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Ms Spence, who leaves her role as deputy secretary at the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communication, will take up her new five-year role at CASA in coming weeks.

Meanwhile, former Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin will take over as chair of the CASA board in August for the next three years.

Transport minister Michael McCormack says Ms Spence has wide experience in aviation policy and regulation and a strong track recored of leading organisational change, while Air Chief Marshal Binskin brings expertise in both aviation and defence.

“These appointments send a strong message about our commitment to high-quality leadership for Australia’s aviation safety regulator, while providing certainty to CASA personnel and industry,” he said in a statement.

My Health Record cyber chief moves on

The former head of security for My Health Record Anthony Kitzelmann has joined Air Servcies Australia as its chief information security officer.

Prior to working at Australian Digital Health Agencies, Mr Kitzelmann was employed as the Senior Cyber Security Executive and Chief Information Security Officer (APAC) at Lockheed Martin where he established and integrated two cyber security practices within the ATO and Department of Defence Chief Information Officer Group.

Mr Kitzelmann has previously been employed as the CrimTrac Chief Security Officer, CrimTrac Manager Background Checking Services, and Department of Defence’s National ICT Security Manager.

New Ombudsman for NSW

Paul Miller has been appointed NSW Ombudsman, after acting in the role since last August.

Mr Miller replaced Michael Barnes, who is now the State’s Crime Commissioner.

Mr Miller was previously the Deputy Ombudsman and Commissioner for Community and Disability Service.

He has also held roles as General Counsel and Deputy Secretary of the Department of Premier and Cabinet, and Deputy Secretary of the Department of Justice.

 In 2016, Mr Miller was awarded the Public Service Medal for outstanding public service through the provision of legal advice and freedom of information reforms.

Huon valley seeks GM

Houn Valley is on the hunt for a new general manager following the resignation of Emilio Reale, who is calling it quits after four years with the Tasmanian council .

Council is working on recruitment with external consultants Andrew Wardlaw (formerly GM at Burnie City Council), and Paul West (formerly GM at Devonport), who are providing acting general manager services until a permanent placement is made.

New executive director at Aboriginal Languages Trust

The Aboriginal Languages Trust has appointed Aboriginal leader Clare McHugh as its new Executive Director

Ms McHugh will lead the work of the Trust in revitalising Aboriginal languages across NSW and takes up the appointment as the Trust begins community consultation for its draft strategic plan.

“Ms McHugh brings a wealth of leadership experience and community knowledge to the role that will assist the Trust in building the strong foundations needed to see Aboriginal languages grow and thrive in NSW,” Aboriginal Affairs Minister Don Harwin said.

Capo appointed CEO at Geoscape Australia

Olympian Dean Capobianco has been appointed CEO at the government-owned location data provider Geoscape Australia.

Chair Lynne Robinson says Mr Capobianco brings deep experience in data and technology innovation to the role.

“Dean will drive business growth at Geoscape to realise the company’s vision to be the de facto standard for national-scale location data in Australia,” she said.

Mr Capobianco says  the geospatial industry continues to evolve with the constant search for new data sources, tools and solutions, and he’s exicted to lead the organisation into its next phase of growth and innovation.

 “Helping governments, industries and organisations make critical decisions, transform their businesses and deliver improved products and services is important for the future of all Australians,” he said.

Mr Capobianco is also a non-executive director of Provider Choice, which is building a digital platform to help navigate the NDIS.