Kathryn Campbell


Kathryn Jane Campbell, is a senior Australian public servant and an officer in the Australian Army Reserve. She was the Secretary of the Department of Human Services from March 2011 to September 2017 when she became the Secretary of the Department of Social Services. On 4 June 2018 Campbell was announced as the next commander of the 2nd Division on promotion to major general; the first woman to be appointed to the role.

Life and career

Between 2005 and 2010, Campbell was Deputy Secretary of the Budget and Financial Management Groups in the Department of Finance and Deregulation, and from 2010 to 2011, Campbell was a Deputy Secretary in the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard announced Campbell's appointment as Secretary of the Department of Human Services in late December 2010, responsible for delivering the Australian Government's Centrelink, Medicare and Child Support programs, along with a number of smaller programs. Campbell commenced those duties on 7 March 2011.
On 7 September 2017, the Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced Campbell's appointment as Secretary of the Department of Social Services, commencing 18 September.
On 4 June 2018 Campbell was announced as the next commander of the 2nd Division on promotion to major general; the first woman to be appointed to the role.

Centrelink debt recovery controversy

Beginning in 2016, Centrelink became embroiled in a debt recovery controversy after it began historic matching of welfare recipient's records against data from the Australian Tax Office. Appearing before a Senate committee inquiry into the program in March 2017, Campbell stated "The view of the department is that there are a number of refinements that need to be made—those refinements are being made—and that the system should continue."
Prior to the debt recovery controversy, Campbell was regarded as a top candidate for the role of Department of Defence secretary.

Awards

Campbell was awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross in June 2010 for outstanding achievement as the Commanding Officer of the Sydney University Regiment, and appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in the 2019 Australia Day Honours in recognition of her "distinguished service to public administration through senior roles with government departments, and to the Australian Army Reserve."