Appointment of new Auditor-General for Australia

I am pleased to announce the Governor-General has accepted my recommendation to appoint Dr Caralee McLiesh PSM as the Auditor-General for Australia.

Dr McLiesh's 10 year term begins on 4 November 2024.

Supported by the Australian National Audit Office, the Auditor-General is an independent officer of the Australian Parliament and is responsible for auditing Commonwealth entities. The Auditor-General plays an important role in upholding accountability and transparency.

Dr McLiesh is a senior public service leader with more than 25 years' experience across government, international, not-for-profit and commercial sectors.

In 2017 she was awarded a Public Service Medal for outstanding public service to social impact investment policy and reform in New South Wales.

Dr McLiesh has served as the Secretary and Chief Executive of the New Zealand Treasury since 2019. Prior to this, Dr McLiesh was the Managing Director of TAFE NSW and a Deputy Secretary with the NSW Treasury.

This appointment follows a merit-based selection process. In accordance with the Auditor-General Act 1997, the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit provided its approval to Dr McLiesh's appointment before I made a recommendation to the Governor-General.

I thank the former Auditor-General, Mr Grant Hehir for his significant service in the state and federal public service. I also thank Ms Rona Mellor PSM for acting as Auditor-General since February 2024 until Dr McLiesh's term commences.