Queensland’s first female Auditor-General appointed

• Rachel Vagg appointed new Queensland Auditor-General
• She is the 24^th Queensland Auditor-General in 164 years
• Ms Vagg is the first woman appointed to the position

Rachel Vagg has been appointed Queensland’s new Auditor-General following an international search and merit-based recruitment process.

Ms Vagg, who becomes the first female appointed to the position, has extensive government experience and, as partner at the global consulting and advisory firm KPMG, has been leading a team on the Governance, Risk and Compliance Advisory practice with a focus on public sector and local government.

She previously held a range of positions during a 21-year tenure at the Queensland Audit Office, including Assistant Auditor-General from January 2019 to May 2022.

Ms Vagg will start her seven-year term on 12 August, taking over from Brendan Worrall.

Deputy Auditor-General Karen Johnson will act as Auditor-General in the interim.

The Auditor-General is an independent officer of the Queensland Parliament, providing assurance to the Parliament and the Queensland community on the presentation of financial and performance audit of all public sector entities, including departments, statutory bodies, government-owned corporations, and local governments.

Quotes attributable to Premier Steven Miles:

“I want to congratulate Rachel Vagg on her appointment to the position of Queensland Auditor-General.

“Ms Vagg brings strong leadership and a wealth of experience in audit, good governance, accountability, and risk.

“She has an exemplary record in her previous roles at the Queensland Audit Office and has immense knowledge and experience of the public sector bodies and governments which she will be responsible for auditing.

“I wish Ms Vagg every success as the Queensland Auditor-General and I’m sure her skills and understanding of the Queensland public sector will stand her in good stead over the next seven years. 

“I would also like to thank Brendan Worrall for his work during his time as the Queensland Auditor-General and wish him the best for the future.”

Further information:

• The Auditor-General controls and leads the Queensland Audit Office.
• The Auditor-General Act 2009 governs the powers and functions of the Auditor-General.
• The appointment of Queensland Auditor-General is for a seven-year non-renewable term.
• There has been an Auditor-General in Queensland since 1860, with the first officeholder Henry Buckley holding the position until 1867.
• The Queensland Audit Office is one of the State’s oldest organisations and is an integral part of Queensland’s system of government.

ENDS