REGULATOR LEADERSHIP COHORT
COMMUNIQUÉ
28 JULY 2026
The Regulator Leadership Cohort met on 28 July 2026.
New members
Ms Clare Savage, Cohort Chair, welcomed several new members:
- Dr Mary Russell, Chief Executive Officer, Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (replacing Professor Kerri-Lee Krause, Chief Commissioner).
- Margaret Tregurtha, Acting Director General, IP Australia (replacing Michael Schwager).
- Sarah Court, Chair, Australian Securities and Investments Commission (replacing Jospeh Longo who retired on 1 June).
- Carl Binning, Acting Chair, Clean Energy Regulator (replacing David Parker who retired on 1 July).
- Rachel Parry, Deputy Secretary, Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sports and the Arts.
Strategic outlook
Ms Anna Harmer, Deputy Secretary, Department of Finance, addressed the Cohort on the Government's fiscal strategy and operating environment, including productivity and regulatory reform. Ms Harmer highlighted the role of the Government's regulatory reform agenda in supporting productivity growth through simpler and more effective regulation, a more seamless national market, faster processes, modernised regulatory frameworks and services, and strengthened regulatory stewardship.
Regulatory reform agenda update
Ms Christina Garbin, First Assistant Secretary, Department of Finance, updated the Cohort on the progress of the regulatory reform agenda, including monitoring reform implementation, progressing the Regulatory Governance Handbook, Statements of Expectations and Statements of Intent. Ms Garbin also advised of the establishment of the SES Band 2 Regulatory Reform Interdepartmental Committee to support the ongoing development and implementation of the Government's regulatory reform agenda and to strengthen cross-government coordination on regulatory reform priorities. Members were encouraged to continue identifying practical reforms that streamline processes, improve user experience and reduce unnecessary burden.
Oversight to support regulator performance, trust and accountability
The Cohort received a joint presentation from Dr Caralee McLiesh PSM, Auditor-General, Australian National Audit Office, and Mr Iain Anderson, Commonwealth Ombudsman, on how their agencies’ oversight supports regulatory performance, trust and accountability.
The presentation and following discussion highlighted the role of regulatory stewardship in supporting lawful, proportionate and outcomes-focused decision-making. The Cohort noted that trust is a broader system outcome, with regulators collectively contributing to public confidence in institutions and the sectors they oversee.
The discussion emphasised the importance of acting as a risk-based regulator, where risk is used to inform strategy, priorities, regulatory action and resource allocation. The Cohort also noted the value of meaningful performance reporting, reliable evidence, clear records and documented reasoning in demonstrating that decisions are lawful, proportionate and effective.
Members discussed how complaints, reviews and oversight findings can provide intelligence about systemic issues and support continuous improvement. Transparent complaints handling, openness to challenge and clear communication were identified as important contributors to public confidence.
The Cohort also noted the importance of cultural capability and collaboration across the regulatory system, including sharing intelligence and good practice, coordinating action where appropriate, and addressing gaps or duplication while preserving regulatory independence.
Cohort priorities
The Cohort discussed its existing priorities, and whether they remain appropriate for another 2 years. Two connected themes emerged: being better regulators and achieving better regulation. Members supported a smaller clear set of priorities focused on practical outcomes over the next two years, supported by targeted discussions and shared learning.
The Chair and Deputy Chair will work with Finance to refine the priorities and return to the Cohort for further consideration.
Working Group updates
The Cohort noted written updates from the Regulator Skills and Capability Working Group and the Data and Digital Ready Regulators Working Group.
The updates outlined progress on the APS-wide regulator capability framework and cross-regulator data and digital initiatives, including artificial intelligence, data sharing, Digital ID and ‘tell-us-once’ approaches.
Next meeting
The Cohort is scheduled to meet again on 20 October 2026.
