In other news:

• Founding NT ICAC Commissioner resigns
• New Acting Inspector General of Intelligence and Security

The Australian Digital Health Agency has appointed former Queensland Health Chief Health Information Officer Malcolm Thatcher as its new Chief Technology Officer.

Dr Thatcher’s previous roles have also included CIO for Mater Healthcare Group in Brisbane and interim CIO and Chief Executive of eHealth Queensland.

Agency CEO Amanda Cattermole said Dr Thatcher would bring with him deep technical skills and a long history in a range of public and private health environments, as well as a passion that would help take the Agency forward at an exciting time in digital health.

Dr Thatcher would continue to build on the National Digital Health Strategy for a better connected health care system, she said.

“Dr Thatcher will also bring his skills and experience to support the key role of digital health in Australia’s ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Ms Cattermole said.

Dr Thatcher said digital health has proved to be central to meeting the nation’s healthcare challenges and looked forward to joining the agency at an important time.

“What really impresses me is the Agency’s core focus on building the digital skills of healthcare providers and consumers so they can maximise the benefits of technology.”

Dr Thatcher will start in the role on Monday 8 February. He is the first senior appointment by Ms Cattermole since she started at the Agency in September 2020.

NT Corruption Commissioner announces retirement

The NT’s Independent Commissioner Against Corruption Ken Fleming will retire from the role in July and return to Queensland to be closer to family.

In a statement Commissioner Flemming, who was appointed the first NT Commissioner in 2018, said 2020 had been a challenging year which had reinforced the importance of being close to family.

“I look forward to seeing the results of long-term operational activities currently being undertaken by the office become apparent in 2021,” he said.

 “Without being ageist, I will observe the new direction of the agency with keen interest, secure in the knowledge that my successor will approach the task with fresh eyes and energy.”

Commissioner Fleming was appointed as the first NT ICAC in July 2018 and led the office through its establishment phase and into its operational phase.

A national recruitment process for a new Commissioner will commence shortly.

Acting head appointed to oversee security agencies

Former federal Court Justice Christopher Jessup QC has been announced as Acting Inspector General of Intelligence and Security.

The Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security is an independent statutory office holder who reviews the activities of Australia’s six intelligence agencies, including ASIO, ASIS and the ASD.

The Inspector General is tasked with ensuring the agencies act legally and with propriety and comply with ministerial guidelines and respect human rights.

The announcement has been welcomed by the Law Council of Australia, which says Dr Jessup’s appointment comes at a critical time for the national intelligence community, with an expansion of agencies’ powers and a large volume of legislation before parliament.

New director corporate services at Nedlands City Council

Experienced local government director Ed Herne has joined City of Nedlands.

He takes on the new position as new director of corporate services with Nedlands after fulfilling a similar role at the City of Sterling.

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