SENATOR THE HON KATY GALLAGHER
MINISTER FOR FINANCE
MINISTER FOR WOMEN
MINISTER FOR THE PUBLIC SERVICE
MINISTER FOR GOVERNMENT SERVICES

STATEMENT ON THE RETIREMENT FROM THE APS OF APSC COMMISIONER DR GORDON DE BROUWER

The Australian Government extends its thanks to Australian Public Service Commissioner, Dr Gordon de Brouwer PSM, for his exceptional leadership and dedicated service, upon the announcement of his retirement from the Australian Public Service.

Appointed in 2022 to lead the Government’s APS Reform program, Dr de Brouwer has been a driving force behind delivering a more capable, ethical and community-focused public service. Under his stewardship the APS has strengthened core capability, lifted integrity and transparency, and improved the experience of Australians who rely on government services.

In 2023 Dr de Brouwer became the Australian Public Service Commissioner, following a distinguished career as a leader and former secretary in the APS. Key milestones during his tenure in the role include:

• Turning the APS Reform agenda into practical improvements across agencies with clear priorities on capability, integrity, people and delivery
• Rebuilding in-house expertise and setting stronger guardrails on the use of external labour for core work
• Accelerating whole-of-service upskilling through the APS Academy in digital, data, procurement, policy and service delivery
• Overseeing the Robodebt-related integrity and conduct processes, including the Robodebt Centralised Code of Conduct Inquiry Taskforce, and supporting the APS response to the Royal Commission
• Promoting a values-led culture that supports respectful, professional workplaces and safe speaking up

Within two years of his term as Commissioner the APS Employee Census (2025) shows clear progress with higher employee engagement, stronger confidence in senior leadership, better access to learning, more effective performance conversations, and a further reduction in reported bullying and harassment.

A merit-based recruitment process will be undertaken to appoint the next APSC Commissioner, in the interim Dr Subho Banerjee will be the acting Commissioner. The Government remains committed to APS reform and to a strong, professional public service that delivers for the community.

Quotes attributable to the Minister for the Public Service, Katy Gallagher

“Dr de Brouwer has been an outstanding Commissioner and a tireless champion for a high performing, trusted public service that delivers for Australians.

“He has driven a shift across the APS from short-term fixes to long-term capability guided by integrity and the public interest. The improvements we are seeing in the 2025 APS Census reflect that focus, with more engaged teams, more confident leadership and safer, more respectful workplaces.

“Gordon’s emphasis on rebuilding APS capability, bringing core work in-house, lifting digital and data skills and ensuring integrity has set the service up to deliver better outcomes and better value for money.

“Gordon’s leadership also extended to complex integrity matters, he undertook the huge responsibility of guiding the Centralised Code of Conduct Inquiry Taskforce for Robodebt, ensuring rigorous integrity processes, and helping embed lessons learned across the service.”

“On behalf of the Government, I thank Dr de Brouwer for his decades of public service and leadership. I have appreciated his advice and support to me in my role as Minister for the Public Service, and I wish him and his family all the best for whatever comes next.”