Blair Comley, who served as secretary of the Department of Premier and Cabinet under former NSW Premier Glady Berejiklian, will lead the Department of Health and Aged Care, commencing his five-year term on July 17.
This follows the retirement of Brendan Murphy who rose to public prominence during the outbreak of COVID-19.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced Blair’s appointment on Tuesday, stating he had a “distinguished career” in the public service.
“With his strong economic qualifications and proven leadership navigating complex issues, Mr Comley will bring innovation and policy rigour to addressing the challenges and opportunities within our health system,” the PM said.
Currently a director and partner at consultancy EY Port Jackson Partners, Comley’s most recent public service role was in the office of the former NSW premier from 2014 to 2018.
He also previously spent time in the federal public service, having served as secretary of the Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism and the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency between 2011 and 2013.
“Mr Comley has a wealth of experience and a record of proven leadership navigating complex issues,” Health Minister Mark Butler said.
The new Health secretary was awarded a Public Service Medal in 2012 for “outstanding public service in the development of public policy, particularly in the areas of carbon pricing and emissions trading, tax policy design and debt management”.
