Commercial Group

Commercial Policy and Advice

Assistant Secretary: Cameron Jose
Phone: 02 6215 3142

Commercial Policy and Advice Branch (CPAB) is responsible for the Commonwealth Investment Framework (the Framework) and provides advice on commercial investments. The purpose of the Framework is to assist departments and agencies to develop and deliver non-grant investments to support the Government’s policy agenda.

Communications and Energy Investments

Assistant Secretary: Amy Parry
Phone: 02 6215 2558

Communications and Energy Investments Branch (CEIB) has responsibility for the shareholder oversight of Government Business Enterprises (GBEs) in the Communications and Energy sectors: the Australian Postal Corporation (Australia Post), NBN Co Limited and Snowy Hydro Limited. CEIB also provides Commonwealth shareholder oversight for Marinus Link Pty Ltd. CEIB also advises Government on investments and the delivery of major projects in these sectors, such as Snowy 2.0 and the rollout of the National Broadband Network.

Defence Investments

Assistant Secretary: Sacha De Re
Phone: 02 6215 2643

Defence Investments Branch (DIB) provides support to the Minister for Finance as Shareholder for the Government Business Enterprises (GBEs) associated with the Defence portfolio. These GBEs are ASC Pty Ltd (ASC) – as the sole shareholder; Australian Naval Infrastructure Pty Ltd (ANI) – as a joint shareholder with the Minister for Defence; and Defence Housing Australia (DHA) – as a joint shareholder with the Minister for Defence Personnel. The Minister also jointly manages the Commonwealth’s minority shareholding in CEA Technologies Pty Ltd.

DIB also advises Government on the delivery and implementation of the Nuclear-Powered Submarine program; naval shipbuilding infrastructure projects ANI is delivering at Osborne, South Australia; and implementation and progress of the Government’s Naval Shipbuilding Plan.

Specialist Investment Vehicles, Funds and Governance

Assistant Secretary: Fotos Andreou
Phone: 02 6215 2636

The Specialist Investment Vehicles (SIVs), Funds and Governance Branch is responsible for providing advice on policy, legislative and governance matters relating to Australian Government Investment Funds and SIVs, including advice on board and CEO appointments and investment mandates.

As part of Finance’s oversight role, it provides guidance to promote best practice administration for all SIVs and assesses aggregate risks.

The Branch is also responsible for and develops policy and contributes internationally on OECD & DFAT State Owned Enterprise programmes and provides advice on Government Business Enterprises including governance and legislative matters, and board appointments across the Finance portfolio. The Branch is also responsible for managing all training and development for the Commercial Investments Division and manages Legal & Governance training for the Branch.

Transport Investments

Assistant Secretary: Elise Aquilina
Phone: 02 6215 2882

Transport Investments Branch (TIB) manages the Commonwealth’s commercial investments in the transport infrastructure sector. TIB provides shareholder oversight for Government Business Enterprises (GBEs) including the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC), Moorebank Intermodal Company, and WSA Co limited.

TIB also advises Government on the delivery of major projects being delivered by these GBEs, such as Inland Rail, the Moorebank and Beveridge Intermodal Precincts and Western Sydney Airport.

Climate Action and Property Data

Assistant Secretary: Louise Starr
Phone: 02 6215 2982

The Branch is responsible for leading the APS Net Zero by 2030 commitment, greenhouse gas emissions reporting for Australian Government operations, and introducing climate disclosure requirements for all Commonwealth entities and companies. For enquiries related to Climate Action, please contact the team at ClimateAction@finance.gov.au.

The Branch is also responsible for the Property Performance Framework (PPF) within the Property Services Coordinated Procurement (PSCP) Arrangements, and for management, analysis and reporting on Commonwealth property data (including administration of the Australian Government Property Register and publication of the Australian Government Office Occupancy Report). For related enquires, please contact the team at propertydata@finance.gov.au.

National Security Office Precinct Project

Assistant Secretary:
Phone:

The National Security Office Precinct Project is responsible for the planning and delivery of the National Security Office Precinct at York Park in Barton, ACT. The Precinct will provide a permanent solution to the critical accommodation and capability requirements of several national security and other Commonwealth agencies.

As an enabling project to the Precinct's development, a multi-level car park is under construction adjacent to the John Gorton Building in Parkes, ACT (referred to as the John Gorton Campus Car Park).

Further information on the project is available on the Finance website, general enquiries on the Project should be directed to nsop.enquiries@finance.gov.au.

Property Frameworks and Services

Assistant Secretary: Suzanne Hinchcliffe
Phone: 02 6215 1531

The Property Frameworks and Services Branch is responsible for policy, guidance and advice on whole-of-government property policy and legislation. This includes the Commonwealth Property Management Framework (RMG 500), the Lands Acquisition Framework (RMG 501), Commonwealth Property Disposal Policy, and the Lands Acquisition Act 1989 and Public Works Committee Act 1969.

The Branch administers relevant matters under the Australian Capital Territory (Planning and Land Management) Act 1988   relating to National Land and Crown leasing, and sections 69 and 70 of the Northern Territory (Self Government) Act 1978   relating to Commonwealth land in the Northern Territory.

The Branch also manages the Whole-of-Government Property Services Coordinated Procurement (PSCP) Arrangements that cover leasing and facilities management services for Commonwealth domestic office accommodation and shopfronts.

The Arrangements are designed to improve the efficiency of property services across the Commonwealth and maximise value for money by consolidating the Commonwealth's purchasing power.

There are two parts to the PSCP Arrangements:

• a Strategic Property Adviser to develop and maintain a Whole-of-Australian-Government Leasing Strategy; and
• Property Service Providers to deliver leasing and facilities management services to participating entities.

Property Management & Projects

Assistant Secretary: Elliot Zwangobani
Phone: 02 6215 2399

The Branch is responsible for whole of life property asset management and related advice to Australian Government agencies. Whole of life property asset management involves:

• asset creation and utilisation through project planning and delivery as requested by Government;
• ongoing management of the Finance owned estate, and implementation of conservation and sustainability strategies;
• asset end-of-life strategies and disposals.

Finance's property portfolio is diverse, including the Commonwealth law courts and various special purpose properties such as the Ben Chifley Building, Australia's Post-entry Quarantine Facility, the Royal Australian Mint building, the Treasury Building, John Gorton Building and the Centres for National Resilience. Finance is assisted by its Property Service Provider to ensure strategic and effective ongoing management and maintenance of the Finance owned estate.

The Branch is also responsible for major capital works planning including to support agencies meet requirements under Budget Process Operating Rules, undertaking remediation projects and the divestment of property in accordance with the Commonwealth Property Disposal Policy.

The Branch also manages and reports on the Property Special Account.

Procurement Capability

A/g Assistant Secretary: Alice Fenwick
Phone: 02 6215 2133

The Procurement Capability Branch supports procurement and contract management capability uplift across the Australian Public Service , and actively supports local industry to take advantage of government purchasing opportunities. The Branch:

• strengthens engagement with states and territories to deliver economic, social, and environmental benefits to regions, industry sectors and communities
• builds the procurement and contracting capabilities of the Australian Public Service through the Procurement and Contract Management Profession
• manages creation and delivery of the Procurement and Contract Management Training Suite
• engages directly with businesses and industry sectors to help lift their competitive capabilities.

Procurement Policy and Systems

Assistant Secretary: Gareth Sebar
Phone: 02 6215 3516

The Procurement Policy and Systems Branch is responsible for procurement policy development, providing advice to the Government on the procurement policy framework and developing supporting guidance for Commonwealth entities. The Branch also provides technical advice to support international trade negotiations and/or obligations on government procurement.

To simplify procurement for both suppliers and Commonwealth government entities, the Branch develops and maintains Whole of Government contracting and grants systems, tools and templates, including AusTender, Dynamic Sourcing for Panels (DS4P), CRIIS, GrantConnect and the Commonwealth Contracting Suite.

Strategic Contracting

Assistant Secretary: Rob Bradley
Phone: 02 6215 3677

The Strategic Contracting Branch is responsible for managing and administering non-ICT Whole of Australian Government (WoAG) panel arrangements for a variety of goods and services. These arrangements deliver savings and efficiencies to agencies and reduce the cost of tendering for both entities and industry. The WoAG arrangements managed by the branch are:

• Travel Services
• Management Advisory Services
• Vehicle Leasing and Fleet Management
• Stationery and Office Supplies
• People Panel

Strategic Procurement

A/g Assistant Secretary: Carol Treneski
Phone: 02 6215 1615

The Strategic Procurement Branch is responsible for the procurement, refresh and/or retender of non-ICT Whole of Australian Government coordinated procurement arrangements. These arrangements are established for commonly used goods or services by the Commonwealth and include:

• Motor Vehicle Leasing and Fleet Management Services
• Government Communications Campaign Services
• Travel Management Services
• Air Services
• Electricity
• Management Advisory Services  
• Master Media Agency Services
• People Panel
• Property Services
• Stationery and Office Supplies

The Branch collaborates closely with entities and industry to deliver competitive, fit for purpose and value for money procurement outcomes for the Commonwealth.

Comcover and Discretionary Payment Claims

Assistant Secretary: Meagan Wilson
Phone: 02 6215 3160

Risk and Insurance

Assistant Secretary: Grant Stevens
Phone: 02 6215 3825

Risk and Insurance Branch plays a central role in supporting the Australian Government’s approach to risk management and insurance. It is responsible for developing and maintaining frameworks, policies and services that help Commonwealth entities manage risk effectively and access appropriate insurance coverage.

Key Responsibilities:

Commonwealth Risk Management Framework

• Provides a structured and holistic approach to managing risk across Commonwealth entities. It helps organisations define their risk appetite and tolerance, establish accountabilities, and embed a positive risk culture

Commonwealth Risk Management Policy

• Supports Section 16 of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act, requiring entities to maintain systems of risk oversight and internal controls. It outlines principles and minimum requirements for effective risk management, promoting consistency and accountability across government.

Administration of Comcover

• Comcover is the Australian Government’s self-managed insurance fund, offering cover for insurable risks (excluding workers’ compensation) to entities within the General Government Sector. The Risk and Insurance Branch oversees Comcover policy and the scheme’s financial, client services and other business operations, including a risk education program to assist fund members improve their risk management capability.

AI in Government

Assistant Secretary: Dr Paul Hubbard
Phone: 02 6215 2034

Comcover Claims and Discretionary Payments

Assistant Secretary: Meagan Wilson
Phone: 02 6215 3160

Comcover Claims and Discretionary Payments Branch is responsible for managing claims and providing advice to agencies. The Branch collaborates closely with entities to ensure fair, efficient and consistent resolution of claims. The work of the Branch includes:

• managing claims against the Commonwealth that are covered by Comcover, the Australian Government's comprehensive self-insurance scheme
• managing applications made under the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 , including act of grace payments, set-offs and waivers of Commonwealth debts, as well as manage the policy for Compensation for Detriment caused by Defective Administration.

Regulation and Resilience

Assistant Secretary: Lauren Le Cerf
Phone: 02 6215 3305

Regulation and Resilience Branch is responsible for ensuring Australia’s regulations continue to support Australia’s economic prosperity and are fit for purpose in a digital era. The Branch is responsible for:

• ensuring the regulatory environment is fit for purpose in the digital era by removing regulatory barriers to digital uptake, modernising the regulation governing the use of emerging technologies and supporting regulator digital capability uplift.
• ensuring the regulatory continuum safeguards Australia’s economic prosperity and security by ensuring regulations are resilient-by-default and support businesses to adapt to increasing economic uncertainty.
• leading projects with cross-jurisdictional or cross-portfolio impact, that improve productivity, support efficient regulation and result in time savings for those engaging with the regulatory environment.

Regulatory Foundations

Assistant Secretary: Kelly Wood
Phone: 02 6215 2753

Regulatory Foundations Branch provides whole of government regulatory stewardship through guidance and advice under the Regulatory Policy, Practice and Performance Framework (RPPPF) for fit- for- purpose regulation. The work of the Branch includes:

• advising government on fit -for- purpose regulation through cabinet and new policy proposals
• advising on whole-of-government regulatory issues and reforms to ensure regulation is fit for purpose in a digital era, protects against regulatory failures and improves productivity
• embedding the RPPPF through practical tools for regulatory policy makers and regulators, including the Regulator Maturity Model
• guiding regulators practice and performance under Resource Management Guide 128 Regulator Performance, including Ministerial Statements of Expectations
• the regulatory ecosystem through the Regulatory Leadership Cohort ( 22 heads of regulators), and the regulatory reform interdepartmental committee
• supporting regulatory skills and capability uplift and undertaking cross cutting regulatory reform sprints to solve regulatory problems.

APS Regulatory Reform

Assistant Secretary: Kelly Wood
Phone: 02 6215 2753

Regulatory Technology and Innovation

A/g Assistant Secretary: Angela Clark
Phone: 02 6215 1529