The co-chief executive of corporate advisory firm Greenhill Caliburn, Simon Mordant, will be commissioner for the Australian exhibition at the 2013 Venice Biennale, the world’s most prestigious art show. Federal arts funding body the Australia Council appoints the Australian commissioner, who among other things has to lead fundraising for Australia’s exhibit. Mr Mordant, who is deputy commissioner for this year’s Biennale, will take over from Doug Hall, the former Queensland Art Gallery director who has been commissioner for 2009 and 2011. Mr Mordant is chairman of Sydney’s Museum of Contemporary Art, to which he made a lead $15 million pledge for its $53 million redevelopment.
Katrina Strickland

Former Australian Federal Police commissioner Mick Keelty will lead the review into this month’s devastating bush fires in the Perth hills area, where 71 homes were lost. Mr Keelty will drive a review to examine the causes of the fires, including a lack of prescribed burning in the area, inadequate fire breaks, and the state’s emergency alert system. The actions of the Fire and Emergency Services Authority will also be examined, despite West Australian Premier Colin Barnett saying after the fires such a review would be an “insult" to emergency workers. The review will include public hearings and submissions and is due to report back to parliament by June 30. Natalie Gerritsen