REGULATOR LEADERSHIP COHORT
COMMUNIQUÉ
4 DECEMBER 2024
The Regulator Leadership Cohort met on 4 December 2024.
The Secretary of Finance, Jenny Wilkinson, opened the meeting by welcoming the newly appointed Cohort Chair, Clare Savage, Chair at the Australian Energy Regulator, and thanked David Parker AM for his strong leadership and valuable contributions as Chair.
The Secretary views the Cohort as a great opportunity for the heads of some of Australia’s largest and experienced regulators to connect, share, listen and discuss the issues they are facing in an ever-changing regulatory environment. The ability to identify cross agency opportunities and to shape regulatory policy will only strengthen Australia’s already well-regarded status as a regulatory leader. Clare expressed her enthusiasm for leading the Cohort and being able to move forward the Government’s regulatory reform agenda and tackle commonly shared issues.
Clare welcomed three new members to Cohort:
- Elizabeth Tydd - Australian Information Commissioner
- Scott Hansen - Chief Executive Officer, Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority
- Tim Beresford - Chief Executive, Australian Financial Security Authority
The Cohort had a full agenda with focuses on discussing Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Skills and Capability. Presentations by Anthony Murfett, Head of Division Technology and Digital at Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources and Dr Paul Hubbard, Co-Head of the Department of Finance led AI-CoLAB spoke on the topic of AI and provided Cohort members valuable insights into the fast-moving digital realm. First Assistant Secretary, John Shepherd presented on the recently passed Digital ID enabling legislation and where regulators can support and work with Digital ID. Members discussed and expressed their support of a Regular Maturity Model selfassessment tool to support the broader implementation of the Regulator Policy, Practice and Performance Framework.
Members continued the discussion on AI and the opportunity for more efficient and effective regulation. Members acknowledged the need to face head on the challenges AI presents. Accordingly, members agreed to meet again for a standalone workshop on AI to allow a deep dive into the opportunities and implications. The workshop will allow those that have already considered and commenced activities with AI to share their journey. The workshop will be attended by members and other leaders in the AI sphere. The workshop will occur in early 2025.
The Cohort looks forward to meeting again in the first quarter of 2025 with a full agenda on AI, RegTech and Legacy ICT systems and the professionalisation of regulatory practice.
The Cohort wishes everyone a wonderful Christmas and prosperous New Year.
Secretariat support is provided by the Risk, Claims and Regulatory Reform Division of the Department of Finance: APSRegulatoryReform@finance.gov.au
