Davie Mackie named new public sector commissioner, replacing Robert Setter

One of Queensland’s most experienced bureaucrats has been appointed by the Premier to the high-ranking role of public sector commissioner.

The Courier-Mail understands David Mackie has been appointed as Queensland’s new public sector commissioner. Picture AAP

Queensland’s public sector commissioner has retired from the high-ranking public service role and will be replaced by one of the state’s most experienced bureaucrats.

The Courier-Mail understands Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has appointed David Mackie as Queensland’s new public sector commissioner, as Robert Setter leaves the job.

Mr Mackie has led the Department of Justice and Attorney-General (DJAG) as its director-general since 2015, and has held many senior roles before that in a public service career of almost 30 years.

The Palaszczuk government is expected to announce Mr Mackie’s appointment as public sector commissioner on Tuesday, as Mr Setter retires from the Queensland public service.

Former public service commissioner Robert Setter, Brisbane. Picture: Liam Kidston

Before becoming director-general at DJAG, Mr Mackie served as the department’s deputy director-general.

DJAG incorporates crucial entities, such as the Crime and Corruption Commission, the Queensland Human Rights Commission, and the Office of the Information Commissioner.

Mr Mackie had also held senior roles at the Anti-Discrimination Commission in Queensland, as well as the Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian.

And he also held a high-ranking role at the Commission of Inquiry into the implementation of the Queensland Health Payroll System during 2013.

The Courier-Mail understands David Mackie has been appointed as Queensland’s new public sector commissioner. Picture AAP

Mr Mackie is currently heading a steering committee within the public service that is responsible for implementing reforms proposed by Professor Peter Coaldrake’s Let the Sunshine In report.

The report, which was handed down in June last year, lifted the lid on failures across the state government and in the public service, and made a number of recommendations.

The Courier-Mail revealed last week only four of the 14 recommendations from Professor Coaldrake’s report had been fully implemented, with the rest still under way or partially done.

Premier Anastasia Palaszczuk has extended the tenure of Rachel Hunter (right) as director-general of the Department of Premier and Cabinet by another three years. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Glenn Campbell

Meanwhile, Mr Setter is set to announce his retirement from the public service on Tuesday. He was appointed by the Premier as public service commission chief executive in 2017.

For the past two financial years, Mr Setter’s total pay packet as public sector commissioner was more than $600,000 a year.

Last financial year, Mr Mackie earned a total salary of $537,000 as director-general at DJAG.

Mr Mackie’s appointment comes after Ms Palaszczuk last month extended Rachel Hunter’s tenure as director-general of the Department of Premier and Cabinet by another three years.