Queensland senior leadership changes

Premier and Minister for Trade, Annastacia Palaszczuk today announced senior leadership changes in key Queensland Government agencies. 

“My Director-General for the past six years, Mr Dave Stewart, will depart as head of the Department of Premier and Cabinet in May this year,” Ms Palaszczuk said. 

“Dave Stewart is one of the best – he is widely respected as one of the most experienced public officials in this country having worked for governments of all persuasions.”

Mr Stewart is one of the longest-serving Directors-General of the Department of Premier and Cabinet.

Amongst his national colleagues serving First Ministers, Mr Stewart is also one of the longest-serving senior public officials across the country.

“I’m delighted that Mr Stewart will take up the role of Agent-General for the United Kingdom and Trade and Investment Commissioner Europe, fostering his significant State, Commonwealth and international relationships,” Ms Palaszczuk said. 

The Premier said she was also pleased to announce that Ms Rachel Hunter would take on the role of Director-General, Department of the Premier and Cabinet following Mr Stewart’s departure. 

“As Queensland Women’s Week wraps up – with this year’s theme reflecting on achieving women – it’s fitting that Ms Hunter will be the first female Director-General of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet in Queensland,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“Ms Hunter has demonstrated her outstanding leadership capability as Under Treasurer and continues to shine as one of the best senior leaders in government.”

Ms Hunter was appointed to the role of Under Treasurer, Queensland Treasury in May 2020. 

Ms Hunter’s significant leadership experience includes former roles as Director-General of three Queensland Government departments including: Justice and Attorney General, Education Training and the Arts, and State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning.

Ms Hunter was Queensland Public Service Commissioner from 2000 to 2003. She also holds the position of Deputy Chancellor of Griffith University. 

“I look forward to working closely with Ms Hunter as we continue to build on our economic recovery on the other side of this pandemic.” 

The Premier also thanked and paid tribute to Ms Linda Apelt for her contribution to Queensland as Agent-General for the United Kingdom and Trade and Investment Commissioner, Europe. 

“Ms Apelt has made significant achievements to trade outcomes for Queensland in her role as Agent-General for the last four years.

“Her achievements include attracting major investments to Queensland growing the renewable and hydrogen sectors from UK stakeholders and supporting numerous export outcomes for Queensland fast moving consumer good companies to UK buyers.”

“Ms Apelt has also played a crucial role in supporting Queenslanders in the United Kingdom and Europe during the pandemic.

Ms Apelt was a long-serving Director-General with the Queensland Government and oversaw enhanced service delivery across a range of portfolios, including education, health, housing, community services, Indigenous policy and the arts. 

After departing government as a Director-General, Ms Apelt was the Chief Executive Officer of Montrose Therapy and Respite Services, providing allied health services to children and young people with rare conditions and a range of other disabilities.

Ms Apelt has been a Company Director on independent boards spanning superannuation, urban planning and research, housing and homelessness, health and welfare, children's and disability services, and state library services. She was most recently the Chair of Screen Queensland, the state’s premier investment attraction agency for film.

Ms Hunter will take up her new role in May.

A new Under-Treasurer will be announced in due course.

Mr Stewart will commence as Agent-General later this year.