[Peetwo]

Update: M&M leaving 10 days & counting -

Via Oz Flying:

Secretary of the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development Mike Mrdak. (Commonwealth of Australia)

Departmental Secretary departs Infrastructure
8 September 2017

Long-time Secretary for the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development, Mike Mrdak AO, is to leave the portfolio after eight years in the position.

Mrdak was appointed in 2009 and during his time oversaw many infrastructure projects such as the duplication of the Pacific and Hume Highways, the Melbourne-Brisbane Inland Rail and the initial Western Sydney Airport project.

He leaves to take up a similar position with the Department of Communication and the Arts.

"Mike Mrdak has been an outstanding Secretary for my Department for more than eight years and I wish him every success in his future role," Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester said yesterday

"Under Mike's professional leadership, the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development has helped this government deliver infrastructure projects and programs throughout Australia, which have made a difference in people's lives.

"He has a passion for regional issues and I'm confident his experience with major infrastructure projects will serve him well as the new Secretary for the Department of Communications and the Arts."

It is believed Mrdak's replacement at Infrastructure will be Dr Steven Kennedy, currently Deputy Secretary for Innovation and Transformation at the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.

Minister Chester also announced this week that John Weber and Marlene Kanga would join the board of Airservices Australia, with Weber taking over as Deputy Chairman. Samantha Betzien was also re-appointed for a further three years.

Read more at http://www.australianflying.com.au/lates...bYrt74l.99

And on the heir to the Mandarin throne...

Dr Steven Kennedy

Deputy Secretary, Innovation and Transformation / Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet

Dr Steven Kennedy is the Deputy Secretary currently responsible for Innovation and Transformation at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. He leads work on the Cities Agenda, regulatory reform, Public Data and digital innovation.

Dr Kennedy was previously a Deputy Secretary at the Department of Industry, Innovation & Science, Department of the Environment, the former Department of Industry, Innovation, Climate Change, Science, Research and Tertiary Education and Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, and the Head of Secretariat of the Garnaut Climate Change Review – Update 2011.

Steven has twice been seconded to the Prime Minister's Office from the Treasury Department, working as the Director of Cabinet and Government Business and a senior economic adviser. Steven held a number of positions at the Treasury Department including the General Manager of the Infrastructure, Competition and Consumer Division, and the Domestic Economy Division. Steven began his career in the public service as a cadet at the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Prior to joining the public service Steven trained and worked as a nurse.

Steven holds a PhD and a Masters in Economics from the Australian National University and a Bachelor of Economics (First Class Honours) from the University of Sydney.

MTF...P2