A branch staking scandal in Victoria has forced a shake-up of the powerful federal security committee, with Labor putting forward a new member and deputy chair who will need to be approved by the Prime Minister.
Federal Labor MP Anthony Byrne has resigned as the deputy chair of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS), saying he could not continue in the role while subject to a Victorian anti-corruption inquiry.
The powerful committee oversees Australia’s security and intelligence agencies and conducts inquiries into related matters and legislation.
Labor leader Anthony Albanese accepted Mr Byrne’s resignation from the committee he had served on since 2005, and announced his recommended replacement.
“I will be recommending to the Prime Minister that Senator Jenny McAllister hold the position of Deputy Chair of the Committee. In addition, I will be recommending that Peter Khalil, Member for Wills, be appointed as a Committee member,” the Opposition Leader said.
Ms McAllister has been a member of the PJCIS since 2019 and also chairs the Select Committee on Foreign Interference through Social Media.
Mr Khalil’s appointment to the PJCIS would be a promotion for the member for Wills, who worked as a foreign policy and national security adviser before entering politics at the 2016 election.
On Friday, he said regional “geo-strategic volatility” was the biggest national security issue facing Australia.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison still needs to formally approve Mr Khalil’s appointment to the PJCIS.
Trade Minister Dan Tehan this week announced the inaugural Australia and Vietnam Business Champions to promote trade and investment links between the two countries.
Former RMIT vice-chancellor and president Martin Bean, SunRice chief executive Rob Gordon, and Aurecon chief operating officer Louise Adams are representing Australia.
Revenue NSW’s first chief digital officer is stepping down after three years with the agency. Kathleen Mackay this week announced she would depart Revenue NSW, where she had been digital chief for the last year.
Victoria’s new Skills Authority will be led by Craig Robertson, a former chief executive of TAFE Directors Australia and a deputy secretary for higher education and skills at the Department of Education and Training.
The Victorian Skills Authority was established this year to link the state’s industries, training providers, employers and communities.
An advisory board has also been established for the new authority, and will be chaired by skills and training expert Lisa Line.
Finder has appointed Shanyn Payne to the position of chief people officer as the Australian fintech continues its global expansion.
Woolworths’ director of B2C ecommerce Annette Karantoni will move into the role of chief supply chain officer and managing director of the group’s Primary Connect logistics and distribution business early next year.
Content delivery company Akamai on Thursday announced the appointment of Chris Gibbs as its first managing director and regional vice president for Australia and New Zealand.
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