21 M ARC H 2016
Former head of Australian Public Service to lead
SMART Advisory Council
Dr Ian Watt, AO, the former head of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, is the new Advisory Council Chair of the
University of Wollongong’s SMART Infrastructure Facility.
Stepping into the role previously held by Dr Ken Henry AC, Dr Watt brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience gained
during a long career as one of Australia’s most distinguished public servants. In 2014, Dr Watt called his own time on a 30-year
career that spanned across the Departments of Communications, Finance, Defence and finally Prime Minister and Cabinet. He served
as Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and Head of the Australian Public Service from 2011 to 2014
having been appointed by Prime Minister Julia Gillard.
Earlier in his career, Dr Watt was the longest serving Secretary of the Department of Finance after having held the post from 2002 to
2009, a period that spanned across both Prime Ministers John Howard and Kevin Rudd.
He is the former chair of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD’s) Working Party of Senior
Budget Officials and was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2008 for service to the community through the
development of public policy and administration in the areas of finance and governance, budget and expenditure policy, taxation
reform, and through contributions to international professional finance organisations.
University of Wollongong Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Wellings CBE, welcomed Dr Watt’s appointment and believes his
experience as the country’s most senior public servant will prove an invaluable asset to SMART and the University as a whole.
“Following his distinguished career at the highest level of public administration in this country, Dr Watt’s appointment as SMART
Advisory Council Chair, is a coup for the University and we welcome his decision to join the SMART Infrastructure Facility and
share his skills and best practice public policy experience,” Professor Wellings said.
Dr Watt stated: “I am very pleased to join some of Australia’s most influential infrastructure leaders from industry and government
on the SMART Advisory Council. SMART has already contributed greatly to the sector and I look forward to building on these
strong foundations to further the Facility in the future.” SMART Director, Professor Pascal Perez, said after an initial period of
successful growth, SMART aims over the next five-year period to further establish itself as a trusted scientific powerhouse on
infrastructure research in Australia and beyond.
“The Council advises and guides the SMART Infrastructure Facility in its vision to deliver integrated infrastructure planning
solutions for Australia and internationally,” he said. “Dr Watt’s acceptance of the role of Chair further demonstrates a clear
acknowledgement of the important contribution the Facility makes in the infrastructure space both in Australia and overseas,” he
added.
Event details
Media opportunity – quick Q&A and images
Date: Tuesday 22 March 2016
Time: 10.25am-10.45am
Venue: SMART Infrastructure Facility, University of Wollongong (Building 6) Note to media: Media are welcome to attend this
event. Media contact: Victoria Black, SMART Strategic Marketing Manager, on +61 2 4221 3433 or [email protected]
Issued by Bernie Goldie, Media Consultant,
University of Wollongong NSW 2522 Australia
t: +61 2 4221 5942 m: +61 412 454 124 [email protected] media.uow.edu.au
CRICOS Provider No: 00102E
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profiles
Dr Ian James Watt AO
Dr Ian J. Watt AO has had a long career as one of Australia’s most distinguished public servants, with nearly 20 years at the highest
levels of the public service. His most recent and most senior appointment was as Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister
and Cabinet and head of the Australian Public Service, a position he held from 2011 until the end of 2014. Prior to that, he was
Secretary of the Departments of Defence; Finance; and Communications, Information Technology and the Arts between 2001 and
2011. Before that, he was Deputy Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Dr Watt serves on the Boards of
Citigroup Pty Ltd, Smartgroup Corporation, the Grattan Institute (University of Melbourne) and O’Connell Street Associates Pty Ltd,
and is a Member of the Male Champions of Change. He is also Chair of the National Innovation and Science Agenda Implementation
Committee and Chair of the International Centre for Democratic Partnerships.
Professor Paul Wellings CBE
Professor Paul Wellings joined the University of Wollongong as Vice-Chancellor in January 2012. Prior to his current role, Professor
Wellings held the position of Vice-Chancellor of Lancaster University from 2002-2011.
Educated at the Universities of London, Durham and East Anglia, Professor Wellings began his career as a NERC Research Fellow
and moved to Australia as a research scientist at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO),
becoming Chief of the Entomology Division in 1995. From 1997 to 1999 he was Head of the Innovation and Science Division,
Department of Industry, Science and Resources, Canberra. In 1999 he returned to the CSIRO as Deputy Chief Executive.
He has extensive board experience and in 2012, was appointed Commander of the British Empire (CBE) in the Queen’s Birthday
Honours list for services to higher education. He received an Honorary DSc from Lancaster University in 2014.
Professor Pascal Perez
Professor Pascal Perez is a world leader in participatory modelling of complex systems. He is the co-editor of ‘Complex Science for
a Complex World – Exploring Human Ecosystems with Agents” (ANU-E-Press). Before joining the University of Wollongong, he
has been a Team Leader at CSIRO and an Associate Professor at the Australian National University. Professor Pascal Perez has 20
years’ experience working in South East Asia, Western Africa, Pacific Island Countries and Australia.
He is responsible for the management and delivery of all aspects of infrastructure modelling and simulation at the SMART
Infrastructure Facility. As Director he is responsible for SMART’s academic governance and for establishing strategic scientific
partnerships in Australia and beyond.
Ms Tania Brown
Tania Brown is the Chief Operating Officer at the SMART Infrastructure Facility with responsibility for the day to day operations of
this $62 million facility. She also has responsibility for managing budgetary and financial issues, data management, facility
promotion and business attraction. A key component is managing stakeholder relations and attracting investment to the Facility.
Prior to joining the University of Wollongong in 2009, Tania spent 13 years working for State and Federal Governments. Her role as
a Senior Ministerial Policy Advisor saw her dealing with the development, implementation and communication of government
policies in a range of areas.
SMART Infrastructure Facility Advisory Council
The SMART Advisory Council consists of some of Australia’s most influential infrastructure leaders from industry and government.
The Council advises and guides the SMART Infrastructure Facility in its vision to deliver integrated infrastructure planning solutions
for Australia and internationally. For more information on the advisory council see
https://smart.uow.edu.au/people/UOW192103.html
Issued by Bernie Goldie, Media Consultant,
University of Wollongong NSW 2522 Australia
t: +61 2 4221 5942 m: +61 412 454 124 [email protected] media.uow.edu.au
CRICOS Provider No: 00102E