Changes in Western Australian Government sector sees return of Rebecca Brown as Tourism WA Chief Executive

Changes in leadership roles in eight Western Australian Government Departments have seen Rebecca Brown, who was appointed the state’s Department of Jobs, Science, Tourism and Innovation (JTSI) Director General and Tourism WA Chief Executive in August 2018, return to the role after acting as Director General of Western Australian Department of Premier and Cabinet for the past 14 months.

The Public Sector Commissioner announced that current JTSI acting Director General and Tourism WA acting Chief Executive Richard Sellers will be appointed as the Western Australian Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety Director General.

Brown’s return to her role at JTSI will see her work closely with Tourism WA acting Managing Director Derryn Belford to continue to support the tourism industry as it deals with the impacts of COVID-19.

The appointments reflect the new Western Australian Government ministry and their key priorities as well as the impending retirement of four directors general and will be effective from 31st May 2021.

Among the retirements, Duncan Ord, Director General of the Western Australian Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural, was announced as leaving his role just days after giving evidence at the Perth Casino Royal Commission.

Ord, who also served as Chair of the Western Australian Gaming and Wagering Commission, responsible for controlling and regulating gambling, had has led the ‘super department’ since the former Department of Culture and Arts merged with three others in 2017.

Following revelations of years of money laundering through Crown Perth, Western Australian’s casino regulation system is under scrutiny. In hearings last week, the Royal Commission questioned Ord’s experience, training and oversight of the Department’s leadership.

Ord - a former theatre lighting designer - told the Royal Commission he had no relevant experience and had not completed any training in casino regulation even though it required “extremely complex and technical skills”.

Ord suggested that the growing complexity of casino operations in Australia into the future meant such experience and training were a necessity.

Ord is being replace in an interim capacity by Lanie Chopping who will act in the role while a recruitment process is undertaken.

Image: Rebecca Brown.