Leonie McGregor has been appointed the new CEO of the Parliamentary Workplace Support Service (PWSS).
The PWSS is an independent and confidential service available to support everyone who works or volunteers in a Commonwealth Parliamentary workplace (CPW).
McGregor will lead the service, which was established in the wake of the ‘set the standard’ report from former sex discrimination commissioner, Kate Jenkins.
The Set the Standard inquiry was launched after revelations of a workplace culture rife with bullying, harassment and gender-based violence were found in Parliament at the end of 2020.
On Thursday, Don Farrell announced McGregor’s appointment, noting that she’ll “be ably supported by the advisory Board, chaired by Ms Carmel McGregor PSM, consultant and adjunct professor in governance, University of Canberra.”
The board will also include former judge of the federal court, the Hon Andrew Greenwood, social inclusion and policy expert, Ms Tanya Hosch, and former MoP(S) Act staff member and experienced chief of staff, Ms Elizabeth Dowd.
Previously, Meg Brighton was the CEO of PWSS, and Michelle Wicks has been acting CEO until McGregor’s appointment. Farrell commended them both on serving “with distinction and trust amongst parliamentarians and staff”.
With over 30 years of public sector experience, including 20 years in senior executive level leadership roles, McGregor has most recently been the Head of Cabinet Division at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
She has delivered high level policy and strategic advice on government reforms and the management of highly sensitive matters of political interest and public scrutiny. In 2017 she established the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority.
Her experience traverses a range of portfolio areas at both the federal and state level, including Department of Health, Finance and Prime Minister and Cabinet.