Premier welcomes Director-General appointments

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has welcomed the appointment of three Directors-General following a national search, and recommendations from the independent recruitment panel.

Directors-General appointed by the merit-based process are:

• Department of Resources: Mike Kaiser
• Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water: Graham Fraine
• Department of Tourism, Innovation and Sport: John Lee

“Directors-General lead a public service committed to delivering the best services and outcomes for Queenslanders and providing the highest standard of impartial, evidence-based advice to their Minister and government,” the Premier said.

“That commitment has never been more important as we continue to navigate the impacts of the global pandemic.

“Each appointment announced today brings outstanding leadership, experience and energy that will be important in continuing Queensland’s economic recovery.”

“I value the leadership our Directors-General bring to Queensland’s public service and I look forward to working with each as we continue to recover from the pandemic.”

ENDS

Directors-General – brief biography   

Mr Mike Kaiser

Mr Kaiser is a highly respected senior executive with an exceptional understanding of the public sector operating environment and experience in dealing with complexity.

Mr Kaiser has held executive roles with NBN Co, and was a partner at KPMG.  As NBN Co’s Head of Quality, Mr Kaiser was responsible for customer satisfaction, process improvement, data quality and response management; while at KPMG, he established the National Corporate Affairs Advisory Service. In his KPMG leadership role he assisted clients to achieve social license, protect reputation and realise competitive advantage through issues management and values-based stakeholder management.

He has degrees in Electrical Engineering and Economics from the University of Queensland.

Mr Kaiser has been successfully Acting Director-General with the Department of Resources since January 2021.

Dr Graham Fraine

Dr Fraine has 27 years’ experience in public policy, program development and service delivery across state and local government. He is currently Deputy Under Treasurer of Policy, Performance and Corporate with Queensland Treasury.

Dr Fraine has previously held Deputy Director-General roles within the Queensland Government Departments of Premier and Cabinet and the Department of Transport and Main Roads.

His strong passion for working in the public service is evident and he values the opportunity to make a difference to the lives of Queenslanders as well as to give back to the community. Dr Fraine is known for his strategic leadership that inspires a strong sense of purpose and his extensive experience across government will see him bring a broad whole-of-government perspective to the role.

In 2018, Dr Fraine was awarded the Public Service Medal for outstanding public service to social science research and policy development in Queensland. Graham also holds a bachelor degree in psychology from James Cook University of North Queensland and a PhD from the Queensland University of Technology.

 Mr John Lee

Mr Lee has strong leadership credentials and has successfully led the Department of Tourism, Innovation and Sport since it’s establishment and importantly, through the various challenges faced during the COVID-19 response and recovery.

He is well respected within various sectors, and brings to the role strengths in leading complex change, strategic agility, and stakeholder and relationship management.

Mr Lee holds a Bachelor of Education (Physical and Health Education) and a Diploma with the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He has held Chief Executive roles across the tourism and sport sectors with Australian Sailing, South Sydney Rabbitohs, Tourism & Transport Forum and Sydney Busses & Transport NSW. Mr Lee is a former Director-General with the NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet and Department of Commerce.

Mr Lee has been successfully Acting Director-General with the Department of Tourism, Innovation and Sport since November 2020.