Respected public servant, Michelle Andrews has been appointed as the new Director General of the Department of Communities (Communities).
Ms Andrews has more than 30 years of experience in leadership roles in the public service and has been Acting Director General of Communities since February 2019, following the retirement of Grahame Searle.
Previous roles held by Ms Andrews include Deputy Director General – Department of the Premier and Cabinet; Deputy Director General – Department of Mines and Petroleum; Executive Director – Department of State Development; and Interim CEO at the Office of the Environmental Protection Authority.
Ms Andrews will officially commence as the Director General of Communities on May 1, 2019.
The Department of Communities includes the Ministerial portfolio areas of:
- Child Protection; Women’s Interests; Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence; Community Services;
- Disability Services;
- Seniors and Ageing; Volunteering; and
- Housing; Veterans Issues; Youth.
As part of Ms Andrews’ appointment, she will also be appointed CEO of the Housing Authority; Country Housing Authority; and the Disability Services Commission which are all part of the Department of Communities.
As stated by Child Protection, Women’s Interests, Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence and Community Services Minister Simone McGurk:
“On behalf of all of the Ministers of the Department of Communities, I congratulate Ms Andrews on her appointment.
“Ms Andrews is a highly qualified public servant and all four Ministers look forward to working with her to continue the significant social policy programs and reforms of Government.
“Among Ms Andrews’ many strengths is her cross-government perspective gained from her recent role at the Department of the Premier and Cabinet.
“The Department of Communities is a large State Government agency responsible for delivering vital and complex human services and social policy innovation and solutions. I am confident Ms Andrews will lead this significant work with the support of thousands of dedicated Communities staff.
“This Government is committed to increasing the number of women in leadership. The appointment of Ms Andrews and other female leaders to senior roles demonstrates Western Australia has ample talented and qualified women ready for leadership positions in the State.”
