REGULATOR LEADERSHIP COHORT
COMMUNIQUÉ
17 FEBRUARY 2026
The Regulator Leadership Cohort met on 17 February 2026.
Cohort Chair, Clare Savage, opened the meeting with an Acknowledgement of Country and welcomed Cohort members. Regulators from all government portfolios are now members which broadens the reach and enhances the inclusivity of the cohort in recognition of its impact and value.
Members shared briefly about their agency's mandates, challenges, and focus areas which highlighted the diversity and breadth of regulatory functions represented. Members provided feedback on the updated terms of reference and confirmed Aged Care Quality and Safety Commissioner, Liz Hefren-Webb’s appointment as Cohort Deputy Chair.
The Chair emphasised the significance of the Cohort in supporting newly appointed regulators and creating an ongoing community of practice. She noted the value of the New head of Regulator Pocket Guide, together with the opportunity to formalise new head of regulator briefing and mentoring.
Co‑champions of the Data and Digital Ready Regulators Working Group, Rob Heferen, Commissioner of Taxation (ATO), and Hamish Hansford, Head of National Security (Department of Home Affairs), briefed members on three proposals to support enhanced information-sharing to reduce regulatory burden to Australian business. These projects address regulator capability uplift to access data where possible, consideration of legislative barriers, and data harmonisation opportunities.
The need for clear deliverables and coordination of related initiatives across government were noted by members, however widespread endorsement for all three proposals was provided.
Finance Secretary, Matt Yannopoulos, addressed the Cohort focusing on the Government’s productivity and regulatory reform agenda. The Secretary encouraged cross-government digital solutions, practical ways to measure regulatory impact, and balancing risk with innovation.
The Secretary outlined five key, interconnected priorities for regulatory reform:
- Continuous improvement
- Harmonisation across agencies
- Streamlining regulatory processes
- Promotion of digital innovation
- Commitment to regulatory stewardship
The Secretary encouraged regulators to develop meaningful, context-specific metrics that measure efficiency and impact, and reiterated the importance of data sharing and inter-agency connections to deliver real-world benefits for businesses and the community.
Kelly Wood, Assistant Secretary, Department of Finance, updated the Cohort on implementation of the whole-of-government policy objective for Commonwealth regulators to better balance risk mitigation with efficiency, growth and dynamism. This included that the Department of Finance would be seeking progress updates from regulators who received the joint letter from the Treasurer and Finance Minister as part of the Economic Reform Roundtable.
Members provided feedback on their work to address productivity to-date, including the status of Statements of Expectations and Statements of Intent.
The draft Regulatory Governance Guide was circulated for feedback out of session. The guide’s purpose is to support policymakers and regulators to implement the Regulatory Policy, Practice & Performance Framework’s principles and best practice in regulatory governance, including regulatory mandate, structures, accountability and transparency, and building trust and expertise.
The draft Regulatory Governance Guide to support regulatory policy makers and regulators put the Regulatory Policy, Practice and Performance Framework into practice in relation to regulatory mandates, governance structures, accountability and transparency, and trust was circulated to the Cohort for feedback.
Saxon Rice, Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Skills and Quality Authority and co-champion of the Regulator Skills and Capability Working Group, updated members on the APS-wide regulator capability framework development. Members highlighted the importance of culture in developing regulatory skills and capability and agreed for the capability framework to include culture as a core element.
To support out of session connection, the Cohort agreed to build a members’ regulatory function directory and contact listing.
The Cohort will meet again in July where it will review its seven priorities and discuss trust and accountability.
Secretariat support is provided by the Risk, Claims and Regulatory Reform Division of the Department of Finance. If you would like further information, please contact APSRegulatoryReform@finance.gov.au.
