Leadership
Dr Vivienne Thom AM
Acting Chair Commissioner
Dr Thom is a highly experienced specialist in the field of public administration, with a strong focus on integrity and governance.
Dr Thom was the Independent Expert Chair of the Parliamentary Leadership Taskforce overseeing the implementation of the recommendations in the Set the Standard report, including establishment of the IPSC. Her prior positions include Deputy Commonwealth Ombudsman, Chief Executive Officer of the Royal Australian Mint, Commissioner of Patents and Inspector General of Intelligence and Security. As a former agency head, Dr Thom brings first-hand experience of a wide range of public sector governance issues. Following the conclusion of her term as Inspector General she has conducted a number of sensitive and complex inquiries into allegations of misconduct.
Dr Thom was appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia in 2016 for significant service to public administration through a range of senior roles, and as a mentor to women in executive positions.
The Honourable Dr Annabelle Bennett AC SC
Acting Commissioner
Dr Bennett is a retired Judge of the Federal Court of Australia. Dr Bennett has also served as an additional judge of the Supreme Court of the ACT and a Deputy President of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, and previously practised as a Senior Counsel specialising in intellectual property.
Dr Bennett continues to practise as a consultant barrister, and as a mediator and arbitrator. Dr Bennett is also an Arbitrator of the Court of Arbitration for Sport, a Member of the World Intelligence Property Organization Mediation and Arbitration List of Neutrals, and a Member of the Indicative List of Government and Non-Governmental Panellists for the World Trade Organisation Disputes Settlement Process.
Dr Bennett has served as a Commissioner for the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements, as a Commissioner with the NSW Law Reform Commission, and as President of the Copyright Tribunal of Australia. Until early 2024, Dr Bennett was Chancellor of Bond University and Chair of the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation Board.
In 2019, Dr Bennett was made a Companion of the Order of Australia for eminent service to the law, and to the judiciary, particularly in the field of intellectual property, to higher education, and to sports arbitration.
Ms Barbara Bennett PSM
Acting Commissioner
Ms Bennett has had an extensive career in social policy including serving at senior levels in the Commonwealth Public Service, overseeing the development of policy and programs to support families, children, family safety, multicultural affairs and settlement services.
She played a key role in the delivery of the Prime Minister's Women's Safety package in 2016, overseeing the development of the Third Action Plan which encourages governments to work together to change Australia's attitudes to, and tolerance for violence against women and their children. Ms Bennett worked closely with senior levels of all governments, non-government organisations and stakeholders to respond to the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse – reforms and changes crucial to protecting children from abuse.
From 2019-2023 Ms Bennett served as a Commissioner on the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability.
In 2017, Ms Bennett was awarded a Public Service Medal for outstanding public service in the area of Social Services.
Ms Mary Brennan
Acting Commissioner
Ms Brennan is an experienced reviewer, having conducted multiple independent and sensitive reviews, principally for the Commonwealth and primarily in the Code of Conduct and Public Interest Disclosure spaces. Cases have included allegations of fraud, wrongful disclosure, conflict of interest and bullying and harassment claims. She has previously been engaged by the PWSS to conduct independent reviews of conduct complaints.
Ms Brennan is a Sessional Senior Member of the Australian Capital Territory Civil and Administrative Tribunal, hearing occupational disciplinary matters, reviews of administrative decisions and conducting mediations.
Ms Brennan has also served three terms on the Psychology Board of Australia, and was part of a panel with the Australian Public Service Commissioner for the Senior Executive Service Integrity Masterclass Series.
Ms Lynelle Briggs AO
Acting Commissioner
Ms Briggs is a distinguished former public servant, who previously served as the Australian Public Service Commissioner between 2004 and 2009. Since that time, Ms Briggs has served as a Royal Commissioner on the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety and has been engaged to conduct independent inquiries into the conduct of senior public officials at the Commonwealth, State and Territory level. These have included an inquiry into breaches of the APS Code of Conduct and a review into the handling of sexual misconduct allegations against a former Member of the ACT Legislative Assembly.
In 2013, Ms Briggs was appointed as an Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to public administration, particularly through leadership in the development of public service performance and professionalism.
Mr Colin Neave AM
Acting Commissioner
Mr Neave is an Australian business executive and was the Commonwealth Ombudsman from 2012 to 2017. He has previously been engaged by the PWSS to conduct independent reviews of conduct complaints.
Mr Neave has held a number of senior management positions in the public sector, including roles as Deputy Secretary of the Commonwealth Attorney-General's Department, Managing Director of the Legal Aid Commission of New South Wales, Secretary of the Victorian Attorney-General's Department, and Director-General of the South Australian Department of Public and Consumer Affairs.
In 2005, Mr Neave was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for service to public administration and to the banking and finance industry, particularly through dispute resolution.
Ms Michelle Wicks
Acting Commissioner
Ms Wicks served as the Acting CEO of the PWSS with distinction and trust amongst parliamentarians and staff. Key responsibilities included leadership and oversight of an independent and confidential workplace support and resolution service including early intervention, local resolution and review functions for all Commonwealth parliamentary workplace participants who had been impacted by workplace conflict, misconduct or serious incidents.
Ms Wicks has held a number of senior management positions, predominantly related to human resources within the public sector. This includes roles as First Assistant Secretary of Corporate at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C) as well as Chief People Officer at both PM&C and the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Cities.