IPAA ACT President

IPAA ACT is governed by an elected Council of twenty members, including a current departmental Secretary as President.

Katherine Jones PSM Secretary, Attorney-General's Department IPAA ACT President

Katherine Jones PSM took up the position of IPAA ACT President on 3 May 2022. Katherine is Secretary of the Attorney-General’s Department, commencing in this role in August 2021.

Prior to her appointment as Secretary, Katherine was the Associate Secretary of the Department of Defence. She was appointed to that position in June 2020, where her portfolio included oversight of the Chief Information Officer, Chief Finance Officer, Deputy Secretary of Defence People and Deputy Secretary of Estate and Infrastructure. In addition, Katherine was responsible for Defence enterprise planning, performance and risk management functions, and the integration of all corporate enabling services which included the delivery of the Defence Transformation Strategy and the Defence Data Strategy.

Before joining the Department of Defence, Katherine was the Deputy Secretary for Business Enabling Services in the Department of Finance. She held that role since October 2017. Katherine has practical experience in delivering shared services in government and was responsible for delivering whole of government digital systems to support collaboration and customer service, including the innovative GovTeams platform.

Katherine has also held senior positions in the Attorney-General’s Department including as the Deputy Secretary responsible for National Security, Criminal Justice and Emergency Management, the head of the International Crime Cooperation Division and the head of the Social Inclusion Division with responsibility for policy and programs across Indigenous justice, native title, legal assistance and human rights.

In 2017, Katherine received a Public Service Medal for her outstanding contribution in the field of national security.

She has a Bachelor of Arts from La Trobe University and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of New South Wales. Before joining the public service in 1999, Katherine spent more than a decade in educational and academic publishing as a sponsoring editor and publisher at the McGraw Hill Book Co.

Former Presidents

IPAA ACT thanks our past presidents for their leadership and dedication in promoting excellence and professionalism in public administration.

	Dr Steven Kennedy PSM Secretary, The Treasury President, 2019-2022
	Frances Adamson AC FIPAA Secretary, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade President, 2017-2019
	Dr Gordon de Brouwer PSM FIPAA Secretary, Department of the Environment and Energy President, 2016-2017
	Glenys Beauchamp PSM FIPAA Secretary, Department of Industry, Innovation and Science President, 2013-2016
	Andrew Metcalfe AO FIPAA Secretary, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry President, 2010-2013

2010 and earlier

IPAA ACT has a rich heritage, dating back to the 1950's when the organisation was originally formed. Presidents have included Sir John Crawford for the period 1955-1957, after whom the ANU Crawford School of Public Policy was named. From the mid 1990's onwards, it has been convention to have a Secretary occupy the position of President.