Appointment of new Secretary of the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations

I am pleased to announce the Governor-General has appointed Mr Simon Duggan as the Secretary of the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR). Mr Duggan has an extensive career in the Australian Public Service most recently as the Deputy Secretary of the Energy Group at the Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water (DCCEEW). Prior to joining DCCEEW, Mr Duggan was a Deputy Secretary at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet where he led the Economy and Industry Group and served as Australia’s G20 and G7 plus Sherpa.

Mr Duggan also spent 18 years at the Department of the Treasury, leading on policy reforms relating to the domestic and international economy. Mr Duggan’s term will commence on 16 February 2026 for a five-year period. I would like to thank Ms Tania Rishniw for acting as Secretary since December 2025.

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