First female CEO appointed at Office of Financial Management

In other appointments:

• Inaugural head announced for Ministerial Advisory Group on the Circular Economy

The Australian Office of Financial Management will be led by a woman for the first time in its history with the appointment of SA Deputy Under Treasurer Anna Hughes as CEO.

Ms Hughes has more than 20 years experience as a leader in the public and private sectors and has held senior finance roles through the Asia Pacific and with the South Australian Government.

She is also currently CEO of the South Australian Government Financing Authority and previously sat on the board of the trustees of the Local Government Finance Authority of South Australia.

Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers said Ms Hughes’ expertise would prove valuable in her oversight of the AOFM, which manages the government’s cash and debt portfolios and provides advice on a range of financial risks.

She replaces Rob Nicholl in the role, who departs the AOFM after more than ten years.

 “Mr Nicholl has shown exemplary leadership and provided advice to government during some of Australia’s most complex economic challenges,” Mr Chalmers said.

“Ms Hughes has big shoes to fill, but I have no doubt that she will do an outstanding job.”

Ms Hughes takes up her new role on January 16.

John Thwaites to head expert circular economy group

Former Victorian Deputy Premier and South Melbourne Mayor Professor John Thwaites has been appointed inaugural chair of a new expert circular economy advisory group announced by Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek.

Other members of the group include Chief Scientist Dr Cathy Foley and outgoing CSIRO chief Dr Larry Marshall.

The group will guide Australia as it transitions to a circular economy by 2030 and look at how products are designed, manufactured and used across all sectors of the economy, Ms Plibersek says.

“It will identify meaningful and direct changes the government and industry can make to drive the transition to a circular economy,” the minister said.

The Waste Management and Resource Recovery Association of Australia has welcomed the appointment, saying it’s a recognition of both the complexity of material management in Australia and the need to focus on design.

The decision to establish the new Ministerial Advisory Group on the Circular Economy follows and Environment Ministers Meeting in October, where ministers agreed to work with the private sector to design out waste and pollution, keep materials in use and foster markets for a circular economy.

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