BERNIE DEAN is stepping up from his role as chief operations officer to become chief executive of Industry Super Australia (ISA), starting September 1.

Mr Dean joined ISA  in early 2013 as the director of marketing, assuming responsibility for the successful collective marketing campaign to promote the benefits of being a member of an Industry SuperFund. 

“Bernie’s commitment to improving the quality of retirement of all Australian workers is paramount,” ISA chair, Peter Collins said. “During his time at ISA, Bernie has led a series of ground-breaking campaigns, including Compare the Pair, In good hands and Banks aren’t super.

“Member recognition of, and trust in industry super funds has grown significantly under his stewardship of the campaign. More broadly, Bernie has experience working with governments, employers and trade unions and is well-known among industry super funds.

“We are delighted that he has accepted our offer to become chief executive of ISA.”

Prior to joining ISA, Mr Dean held senior positions in the Victorian public service. As the executive director of marketing and communications for many years, Mr Dean led WorkSafe Victoria’s award-winning marketing program to drive down the rate and cost of workplace injuries.

Helater became the general manager of OHS Strategy, leading collaboration between the regulator, employer and union bodies to develop policy and regulatory solutions to tough problems faced by workers such as asbestos removal, dangerous machines and manual handling.

Prior to his departmental roles, Mr Dean was a senior adviser to the former Victorian Premier Steve Bracks on issues including infrastructure and public transport.

Bernie Dean joined government after working as an organiser with the ACTU in the mid-1990s where he represented and campaigned alongside workers across the public, hospitality and finance sectors.

www.industrysuperaustralia.com

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SANDRA PARKER has been appointed as the Fair Work Ombudsman for a five-year term, starting July 15.

For the past eight years Ms Parker has served as a Deputy Secretary at the Department of Jobs and Small Business and its predecessors. Prior to this she was the head of the Office of the Australian Safety and Compensation Council and held senior executive roles in the vocational education and training field at federal and state government levels. 

“I congratulate Ms Parker on her appointment. Her distinguished public service career, and extensive experience in complex environments including policy, regulation and service delivery roles, make her an exceptional candidate for the position,” Minister for Small and Family Business, the Workplace and Deregulation, Craig Laundy said.

“Highly regarded in her field, Ms Parker was awarded a Public Service Medal for her outstanding contribution to workplace relations policy and program delivery on Australia Day 2018.”

“Ms Parker’s outstanding qualities, management skills and wide-ranging experience in stakeholder engagement are well-suited to the Office’s important role of promoting harmonious, productive and co-operative Australian workplaces,” Mr Laundy said. The Minister also acknowledged the significant service of outgoing Fair Work Ombudsman, Natalie James.

“I would like to thank Ms James for her exceptional work during her five year term,” Mr Laundy said. “Ms James has taken a very proactive approach to ensuring workers are protected and get what they are owed.

“She has made a significant contribution to the workplace relations landscape in Australia through educating employees and employers on their rights and responsibilities. She has been very effective in the role and I again thank her for her dedication.

The Fair Work Ombudsman is an independent statutory office holder. The key functions of the office are to provide information and advice, investigating workplace complaints and enforcing Commonwealth workplace laws.

www.fairwork.gov.au

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PRUE BONDFIELD, a highly regarded pastoralist and businesswoman, has been appointed to the Regional Investment Corporation board. 

Ms Bondfield is the general manager and director of Palgrove, a livestock business with properties in Queensland and New South Wales. Ms Bondfield also has a background in law and has demonstrated strong corporate governance skills, developed through professional training, her own business enterprise and various industry roles. 

She has held positions as the chair of the Beef Industry Sustainability Framework Steering Committee, a director of the State Management Council for the NSW Livestock Health and Pest Authorities, and has been a director of the Beef Improvement Association. 

The RIC will administer the Coalition Government’s $2 billion farm business concessional loans program and the $2 billion National Water Infrastructure Loan Facility. 

The Federal Government has also appointed David Foster, Lucia Cade and Mark Lewis as members of the RIC board, with David Foster appointed as chair of the board.

Mr Foster has an extensive background in commercial finance having previously worked for both Westpac and Suncorp. Mr Foster is also a current director with Genworth Mortgage Insurance, G8 Education Limited and Local Government Enterprises of Queensland.

Ms Cade has a background in engineering and commercial leadership, with a focus on water infrastructure, utilities and professional services. Ms Cade has beencChair of South East Water, a Victorian government-owned water utility, since October 2015.

Mr Lewis is a former Western Australian Minister for Agriculture and Food and the former Member for Mining and Pastoral on the Western Australian Legislative Council from 2013 to 2017. His prior responsibilities included the Rural Business Development Corporation, which administers loans to primary industries, including concessional loans on behalf of the Commonwealth.

www.agriculture.gov.au/ric

INSTITUTE of Public Accountants (IPA) chief executive officer, Andrew Conway has been appointed to the Professional Accountancy Organisation Development Committee (PAODC) of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC).

“On behalf of the IPA Board of Directors, I would like to congratulate Andrew on this important appointment,” IPA president, Damien Moore said.

“Andrew is the ideal appointment which recognises his commitment to the profession that has included the chairing of the PAODC of the Confederation of Asian and Pacific Accountants (CAPA) over the past few years working closely to build the capacity of the profession. 

“The IPA is very committed to IFAC’s objectives and more so, the development of the profession globally.  This appointment further demonstrates the IPA’s leadership position in the global profession.

“The IPA is very proud of Andrew’s achievements and his contribution to global leadership and governance within the profession,” Mr Moore said.

www.publicaccountants.org.au

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