REGULATOR LEADERSHIP COHORT
COMMUNIQUÉ
1 MAY 2024
The Regulator Leadership Cohort met on 1 May 2024.
The Cohort’s purpose is to support the government's regulatory reform agenda to modernise regulation. This keeps the regulatory framework fit-for-purpose in a digital era, protects against regulatory failures and improve productivity through technology, data and digital reform opportunities and stewardship. Members of the Cohort share knowledge and expertise to tackle common challenges brought by regulating in an ever-changing environment.
Interim Chair David Parker AM, Chair and CEO of the Clean Energy Regulator, welcomed the Cohort members and invited Richard Windeyer, Deputy Secretary, Department of Finance to provide a brief introduction. Mr Windeyer highlighted the value of bringing together the Cohort and the role it will play in the broader delivery of the government’s regulatory reform agenda. Kelly Wood, Assistant Secretary within the Regulatory Reform Division gave an overview of the regulatory reform agenda.
David Parker AM reflected on the important work the previous Cohort delivered including the development of the New Head of Regulator Pocket Guide. The Guide provides ten key tips and tricks from current and former regulators on what they wish they knew on their first day. The Guide is now available publicly. A key stewardship function of the Cohort was to create top level networks to help solve problems identified by regulators.
Edward Santow, Co-Director, Human Technology Institute Industry and Professor – Responsible Technology, University of Technology Sydney presented their interim independent expert advice on the development of an AI Regulatory Strategy for Australia. The work is being developed in partnership with the Department of Industry, Science and Resources and the Department of Finance. The Cohort members noted the common opportunities and challenges regulating – and using – AI.
The Cohort discussed the priority areas for the forward work plan and how the Cohort can support the government’s regulatory reform agenda. The broad themes identified were:
- Safe and responsible regulation of AI, together with the use of AI as a regulatory tool in the context of rapid evolution.
- Exploring and leveraging existing RegTech and ICT solutions from other regulators. Capability uplift to design and purchase regulatory ICT solutions.
- Fostering greater collaboration between regulatory policy makers and regulators.
- Supporting information sharing between regulators.
- Regulating entities outside of Australia’s jurisdiction.
- Uplifting the skills and capability of regulators (including regulatory craft) and considering regulation as a profession.
- Building and fostering trust with regulated entities and the community.
- Navigating adjustments to regulatory posture and sharing compliance and enforcement approaches.
The Terms of Reference were agreed, with tri-annual meetings. The next meeting is scheduled for 4 September.
Secretariat support is provided by the Regulatory Reform Division of the Department of Finance: APSRegulatoryReform@finance.gov.au
Membership
| Agency | Cohort member |
|---|---|
| Clean Energy Regulator | David Parker AM (Chair) |
| Department of Finance | Richard Windeyer |
| Australian Taxation Office | Rob Heferen |
| Australian Communications and Media Authority | Nerida O’Loughlin PSM |
| Australian Energy Regulator | Clare Savage |
| Australian Prudential Regulation Authority | John Lonsdale PSM |
| Australian Skills Quality Authority | Saxon Rice |
| Civil Aviation Safety Authority | Pip Spence PSM |
| Department of Health and Aged Care | Professor Anthony Lawler |
| Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission | Janet Anderson |
| Australian Competition and Consumer Commission | Gina Cass-Gottlieb |
| Acting CEO and Board member, APVMA | Dr Melissa McEwen |
| Fair Work Ombudsman | Anna Booth |
| Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority | Josh Thomas |
| Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water | Rachel Parry |
| Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry | Adam Fennessy PSM |
| IP Australia | Michael Schwager |
| Australia and New Zealand School of Government | Professor Caron Beaton-Wells |
| Australian Securities and Investments Commission | Joseph Longo |
| Food Standards Australia New Zealand | Dr Sandra Cuthbert |
