The ABC have appointed a new Deputy Chair and Director. Dr Lisa Caffery replaces former Deputy Chair Peter Tonagh, and Damien Miller takes up a vacancy left after Mario D’Orazio’s five-year term on the Board expired.

Dr Lisa Caffery has a PhD from Central Queensland University with her research interests health equity, social impact, STEM education and the resilience of rural communities. She is based in the regional Queensland city of Emerald from where she serves as a board member of Mater Health (Qld) and Dams Safety NSW. She is a former chair of Sunwater Ltd, Queensland’s bulk water entity.

In welcoming the announcement made by Minister for Communications, Anika Wells, ABC Chair, Kim Williams AM, said:

“I have no doubt Dr Caffery and I will forge an effective relationship as we work with our fellow ABC Board colleagues to ensure proper guidance and performance delivery by the ABC over the coming years.”

Damien Miller, of the Gangulu people has been an Australian career diplomat for 25 years including roles as Australia’s Ambassador to Denmark, Norway and Iceland. He also served overseas in Washington DC, Berlin and Kuala Lumpur before becoming a director of several boards including the ANZ School of Government after leaving the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

He said on LinkedIn:

“I am honoured to have been appointed to the Board of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. I look forward to contributing to the stewardship of Australia’s public broadcaster.”