In other appointments:

• Mike Burgess tapped on shoulder for ASIO role
• Myki mastermind to make waves at Sydney Ferries
• Women make clean sweep of Victorian local government leadership

David Thodey to chair financial relations review

APS review chair David Thodey, former NZ Prime Minister Bill English and former deputy PM John Anderson will head a panel of experts charged with reforming the financial relationship between NSW and the Commonwealth.

Treasurer Dominic Perottet on Monday named the panel set to lead the inquiry, which was first announced in the NSW Budget in June to shake up the state’s federal funding deals.

The panel is charged with reviewing NSW funding arrangements with the Commonwealth compared with other states.

“We want a simple, fair and sustainable relationship which delivers a predictable outcome for NSW over the economic cycle,” Mr Perrottet said.

“At present there are a large number of complex agreements in place, and funding for NSW and other states can also vary significantly due to matters beyond our control like the distortion of GST returns caused by a mining boom.”

Constitutional law expert Professor Anne Twomey, economic policy analyst Professor John Freebairn and long-time public servant Jane Halton make up the rest of the Federal Financial Relations Review panel.

“This is a highly-credentialed panel of experts with knowledge across government, public policy reform, federalism, economics and the law,” Mr Perrottet said.

The panel will report to the government in the first half of 2020.

Mr Thodey is expected to release his long-awaited final report on reform of the Australian Public Service shortly.

Mike Burgess tapped on shoulder for ASIO role

Cyber spy agency chief Mike Burgess is set to take the helm at ASIO.

The current Director-General of the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) Mike Burgess was last Thursday named the new Director-General of Security at the Australian Security Intelligence Commission (ASIO), replacing outdoing director-general Duncan Lewis.

The former member of the Naval Shipbuilding Advisory Board returned to the ASD in 2017 as deputy-director after a brief stint leading IT security at Telstra.

In his current role at ASD, Mr Burgess leads work across foreign intelligence, cyber security and offensive operations.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Mr Burgess was well-suited for the role given his extensive experience in security across both the public and private sector.

“He brings a wealth of knowledge and understanding of Australia’s national information, intelligence and security landscape gained through many years of experience spanning public service and private industry,” the Prime Minister said on Thursday.

Mr Burgess will commence in the role on September 15, 2019.

Women sweep leadership of Victorian local government sector

Women now head all of Victoria’s three peak local government associations following the appointment of Jo-anne Chapman as the new CEO of Local Government Professionals Victoria.

LGPro president Justine Linley said it was an exciting time for the sector and for women in local government.

“For the first time in Victorian Local Government history we have a woman that is the CEO and President of all three peak bodies in our sector including the MAV, VLGA and now LGPro” she said is a statement.

Ms Chapman, who has previously had a government career in Queensland, brings strong experience working across state and national levels as well as the commercial and not for profit sector.

She takes up the role on September 23.

New director making waves at Sydney Ferries

After rolling out the myki card south of the border, Public Transport Victoria’s former Deputy CEO Alan Fedda has been appointed managing director of Sydney Ferries.

The transport specialist has signalled plans to improve the world-famous ferry service, which has been operated by Transdev since 2012.

“Sydney Ferries is one of the most iconic transport networks in the world, and it’s a great privilege to come back home to Sydney to be a part of that,” he said.

Mr Fedda has held senior leadership roles across energy, telecommunications, media, community services and financial services.

He’s also been an advocate for inclusive transport in Melbourne.

Transdev Australasia’s CEO Luke Agati congratulated Mr Fedda on the appointment.

“Alan is one of the most respected leaders in our industry, and he brings a deep understanding of what it takes to deliver great journeys for customers,” Mr Agati said.

Mr Fedda takes up the position in September, replacing outgoing Martin Kearney, who has been named Transdev’s Chief Officer of Train and Ferry Operations in Australia and New Zealand.

Grand Prix chief to oversee third stage Melbourne Park upgrade

High profile sports administrator John Harnden has been named as the new chief executive of the Melbourne and Olympic Parks Trust, replacing Brian Morris.

In his new role Mr Harnden will oversee the state government’s $271 million third stage upgrade of Melbourne Park to ensure it remains a world-leading sport and entertainment destination, Sports Minister Martin Pakula said.

Mr Harnden was chief executive of the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games Corporation and 2015 cricket World Cup, and currently remains chair of the Australian Grand Prix.

Indigenous woman Ursula Raymond to help lead NT treaty negotiations

Ursula Raymond has been appointed Deputy NT Treaty Commissioner.

In her role Ms Raymond will support Commissioner Mick Dodson as he prepares a discussion paper on a treaty between Aboriginal Territorians and the NT government and help him deliver a final report by mid-2020.

Commissioner Dodson said Ms Raymond’s appointment meant that women and girls would be given a voice during the consultation period, as cultural practice meant they may not have been able to speak to him.

Her appointment comes just over a year after the Territory’s four Aboriginal land councils signed a memorandum of understanding outlining a roadmap for treaty negotiations.

Ms Raymond has held senior roles at the Northern Land Council and has worked at both a Territory and federal government level.

NT on the hunt for new Police Commissioner

NT police minister Nicole Manison says Michael Murphy will continue to fill in as Acting NT Police Commissioner while the government continues its hunt for a replacement.

Mr Murphy, who has been stepping in since the role became vacant earlier this year, will continue in the position until a permanent appointment is made.

Ms Manison says that a permanent appointment will be made before the end of the year.

“The decision to extend Mr Murphy as Acting Commissioner will provide stability and continuity during the recruitment process – that was a key consideration for me,” she said.

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