Bill Shorten, Janine O’Flynn and Simone Walker to bring public service and university leadership to ANZSOG Board
ANZSOG has appointed three new Board members, strengthening its expertise and connections to the public sector and universities.
Professor The Hon Bill Shorten, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Canberra; Professor Janine O’Flynn, Director of the Crawford School of Public Policy at the Australian National University; and Simone Walker, Deputy Secretary, Corporate Services at the NSW Premier’s Department, joined the ANZSOG Board on 29 May 2026.
The appointments follow ANZSOG’s recent announcements about its expanded portfolio - offering quality, practical and more accessible learning and development for public servants throughout their careers.
ANZSOG Dean and CEO Professor Caron Beaton-Wells said that the new Board Directors would bring deep expertise in public administration, academic leadership and public sector reform which will play a critical role in this expanded focus.
“I am delighted to welcome Professor Shorten, Professor O’Flynn and Ms Walker to our Board,” she said.
“ANZSOG will benefit deeply from their experience as we continue to adapt how we bring people together, how we teach, and how we translate evidence into practice to support exceptional public leaders through their careers.
“Together with the rest of the ANZSOG Board they will play an essential role as we work more closely with governments and universities to strengthen public sector capability that serves communities and delivers public governance that people trust,” said Professor Beaton-Wells.
Professor Shorten, Professor O’Flynn and Ms Walker will join fellow Board members from all Australian and New Zealand governments, reflecting ANZSOG’s position as a bi-national and multi-jurisdictional school of government.
Each new Board member brings their unique expertise and experience from the public sector and academia.
Professor The Hon Bill Shorten brings his experience as a Vice-Chancellor alongside a deep understanding of public administration and service delivery, gained through senior ministerial roles across portfolios including Education, Workplace Relations, Disability and Government Services. His leadership at the University of Canberra, focused on increasing accessibility to higher education, aligns strongly with ANZSOG’s goal of expanding access to professional learning for public servants.
“It is an honour to be appointed to the ANZSOG Board. I look forward to making a meaningful contribution and supporting excellence in public administration and leadership. At a time of complex policy challenges, ANZSOG plays a vital role in developing capable, forward‑thinking public sector leaders across Australia and New Zealand,” said Professor Shorten.
Professor Janine O’Flynn is an internationally recognised expert in public administration, with extensive experience in public management and reform. A long-standing contributor to ANZSOG as both a professor and educator, she brings a global perspective informed by work with policymakers across multiple countries. She was appointed an ANZSOG Distinguished Fellow in 2025.
“It’s a great honour to join the ANZSOG Board representing one of the foundation partners, the Australian National University. I look forward to working with the other board members to support ANZSOG in an era of renewal and in its ongoing success,” said Professor O’Flynn.
Simone Walker is a highly experienced public sector leader with a strong track record in strategy, policy and service delivery across government and the not-for-profit sector. Her current role in the NSW Premier’s Department brings contemporary public sector insight and strengthens representation from one of ANZSOG’s key jurisdictions.
“I’m excited to be joining the ANZSOG Board, and I look forward working alongside the directors to help shape the future of public service,” said Ms Walker.
ANZSOG is excited to welcome our new Board members and are looking forward to their contributions to our future direction.