Public servants honoured with IPAA National Fellowships in 2019

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Ten new additions to the ranks of Institute of Public Administration Australia National Fellows were announced in Darwin last night.

• From the Victorian branch, Dr Gillian Sparkes and Dean Yates
• From the New South Wales branch, John Hubby and Janet Schorer
• From the ACT branch, Frances Adamson and Liz Quinn
• From the Western Australian branch, Sue McCarrey
• From the Queensland branch, James Purtill
• From the South Australian branch, Cathy Taylor
• From the Northern Territory branch, Julie Crisp

Professor Peter Shergold, who concludes his term as IPAA’s national president at the organisation’s national conference in Darwin today, congratulated the individuals for their contributions to the study and practice of public administration. The National Fellow Awards were established in 1983, recognising those who have made an outstanding contribution to the profession of public administration in Australia. The nominees are drawn from the state branches and chosen by a sub-committee of the IPAA national council.

The 2019 National Fellows

Ms Frances Adamson

Frances Adamson is the first female Secretary of the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and from 2011 to 2015 was Australia’s first female Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China.

Under her leadership DFAT has built real momentum with an ambitious and innovative approach for a gender equal workplace which saw it win the 2017 Australian Public Service Gender Equality Award.

Frances’ leadership of the difficult and ongoing process of absorbing AusAID into the Department, which began in 2013 also drew praise in a recent independent review. Richard Moore, former AusAID Deputy Director General for Asia, said her systematic, whole of department approach ‘may make her its first real CEO’.

Frances has been IPAA ACT President since 2017, overseeing both its expansion and diversification of its programs and activities, as well as its move to become a company listed by public guarantee.

Ms Julie Crisp

Julie Crisp has made a significant contribution to the Northern Territory public service and IPAA NT through her work as a partner with one of the “Big 4” consultancy firms in the Northern Territory and more recently as the Northern Territory’s Auditor-General. Julie has a strong commitment to improving the standards of management, transparency and governance in the public sector, which has been a hallmark of her work at Deloitte and more recently as Attorney General.

Julie has been a long-term supporter and member of IPAA NT and has been the lead judge of the annual report awards for many years. Julie has also delivered important workshops and seminars on behalf of IPAA, always with that key focus on improving performance monitoring and reporting systems.

Mr John Hubby

John Hubby is currently the Deputy Secretary, Corporate Services, NSW Department of Communities and Justice and is responsible for the organisations ‘enabling pillar’ of corporate functions and the overseeing of the integration of the large and complex functions of FACS and Justice clusters due to the current Machinery of Government changes.

John brings to this role a track record of implementing major reform in public and private sector organisations and is leading the transformation of corporate and governance functions responsive to the many changes in FACS’ service delivery model.

John is currently serving as a Vice President on the Board of the Institute’s NSW Division.

Ms Sue McCarrey

Sue McCarrey is an IPAA WA Fellow, and a past President, Vice President and Council Member of the IPAA WA Council.

Sue has held numerous senior leadership roles within the WA Government, and is a strong supporter of those who work on behalf of the public in the public sector. She has been heavily involved in young professional leadership programs, presenting and mentoring groups to assist in their personal development.

During her time in WA, Sue was instrumental in developing policy and related legislation to form the Public Transport Authority (PTA) of WA, and played a key role in shaping the strategic direction of the Department of Transport and Main Roads WA.

Since moving to SA in 2014, Sue has been Chief Executive of the Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator (ONRSR). Sue guided the ONRSR through its infancy into a fully national organisation, which has since taken over the rail safety regulatory functions from all States and Territories.

Mr James Purtill

James Purtill is Director-General of the Queensland Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy.

James has significant public and private sector experience in Australia and internationally. A scientist and business administrator by profession, he brings more than 30 years experience to the role.  He has been Director-General of the Department of Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Multicultural Affairs, the Environmental Protection Agency and Public Service Commissioner.

His private sector experience includes a senior role with a large multinational engineering, procurement and contract management firm, a large environmental rehabilitation company and an ASX top 20 resources company.

James has been a delegate to the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development, was awarded the Prime Minister’s Centenary Medal, and is a Fellow of the Australia and New Zealand School of Government.

His academic qualifications include a science degree with Honours from the University of New South Wales and an MBA from the University of Queensland.  He is also a graduate of the Australian Company of Directors.

Ms Liz Quinn

Liz Quinn is the Group Manager, Centre for Leadership and Learning, with the Australian Public Service Commission (APSC) and exemplifies the ‘spirit of service’ in promoting professionalism and excellence in the public administration.

She was an instrumental figure in the establishment of the APSC’s Strategic Centre for Leadership and Learning which aims to improve leadership development and talent management across the Australian Public Service (APS), enhance core and management skills, and improve the efficiency of the APS learning and development system.

Liz has been an IPAA ACT Councillor since 2015, has served on its Capability and Professionalism Committee and made an enormous contribution around capability as one of the key architects of the IPAA ACT Future Leaders Program. She has been instrumental in building a good working relationship between the APSC and IPAA ACT and stepped up in any capacity that IPAA ACT has required.

Ms Janet Schorer PSM

Ms Janet Schorer PSM is currently the NSW Children’s Guardian aiming to build on the strength of the networks of care that support children and young people in NSW so they can receive the best quality care and support throughout their young lives.

Ms Schorer began her career as a nurse before gaining qualifications as a child and adolescent psychologist focussing on case management and the support of people with disabilities and in child protection and for this outstanding public service was awarded a Public Service Medal in the 2019 Queen’s Birthday Honours recognising this service to the protection of children in New South Wales.

Ms Schorer is also currently serving as a Councillor on the Board of the Institute’s NSW Division.

Dr Gillian Sparkes

Dr. Gillian Sparkes is the Victorian Commissioner for Environmental Sustainability. Dr. Sparkes has held several public sector positions and non-executive directorships with the Country Fire Authority, Industry Capability Network Victoria, the Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation, Sustainability Victoria and others.

Respected across the political spectrum, Dr. Sparkes has been appointed Commissioner by successive state governments, championing reforms in environmental monitoring, assessment and reporting, and establishing the UN Sustainable Development Goals and System of Environmental-Economic Accounting as reporting frameworks for Victoria.

Dr. Sparkes has been a Fellow of IPAA Victoria since 2014, speaking at successive Public Sector Week events, focusing on sustainable development. She has been a member of the judging panel for the annual IPAA Victoria Leadership in the Public Sector Awards and also, since their inception in 2017, a judge for the IPAA Victoria Top 50 Public Sector Women (Victoria) Awards.

Ms Cathy Taylor

It is with great pleasure that the IPAA SA Division announces Ms Cathy Taylor as a worthy recipient of the

National Fellow Award for South Australia. This award is in recognition of Ms Taylors’ enduring commitment to  excellent public administration and exceptional record in relation to child, youth and family policy, program and service delivery.

Mr Dean Yates

As a Partner, Dean Yates currently leads EY’s Victorian Government and Public Sector practice.  Previously, Dean worked in the Tasmanian, Commonwealth and Victorian public sectors for over 30 years, starting his career at the Tasmanian Treasury.  Dean joined the Commonwealth Treasury specialising in Commonwealth-State financial relations, before joining the Victorian Department

of Treasury and Finance.  Dean became Deputy Secretary where he initiated many public sector financial reforms.  After some time as Deputy Secretary Policy and Cabinet in the

Department of Premier and Cabinet, Dean was appointed Secretary of Transport, Planning and Local

Infrastructure in April 2013.  As Secretary, Dean delivered several significant achievements that have a remaining impact today.

Dean has been a long and active supporter of IPAA. He became an IPAA Victoria Fellow in 2010 and in 2016 joined the Board. His broad experience in public sector leadership, budget management and policy advice have greatly benefited IPAA Victoria.