Senior executive changes in the NSW public sector

After four and a half decades in the NSW public sector, Parliamentary Counsel Don Colagiuri SC has flagged his intention to retire in early 2018. The Parliamentary Counsel’s Office drafts legislation for introduction into Parliament, as well as a wide range of regulations, rules, proclamations, orders and planning instruments.

“While probably unknown to most of the people of New South Wales, Don Colagiuri is a legend of the public sector whose fine work has touched the lives of everyone in the state,” Mr Reardon said.

“Known to many just as ‘The Don’, he has been drafting legislation since 1972, first in the Chief Secretary’s Department and then from 1974 in the NSW Parliamentary Counsel’s Office, an organisation he has led since 2001.

“Don understands legal policy problems and how to resolve them and we are indebted to him for the countless occasions he has drafted complex and urgent legislation, always with good humour despite the demands.”

Mr Reardon also paid tribute to Public Service Commissioner Graeme Head, who it was announced earlier today will take up the new role of NDIS Safeguards and Quality Commissioner in 2018.

“As the inaugural Commissioner appointed by Premier O’Farrell in 2011, Graeme has for six years driven strategic workforce reform and contributed significantly to the uplift in performance of the nearly 400,000 public servants who serve the people of NSW,” Mr Reardon said.

“His achievements have included the establishment of a new and modern legislative framework for the public sector, the development and implementation of the sector’s leadership programs, and important work to improve workforce diversity.

“The current success of our state has been driven and supported by a committed and engaged public sector that is very different to that of earlier years, and Graeme has played a significant role in that transformation of which he can be very proud.”

The process for filling both roles will commence immediately.