13 December 2006

Appointment of Australian Statistician

The Governor General has today appointed Mr Brian Pink as Australian Statistician, with effect 5 March 2007.

Mr Pink will fill the vacancy created by the resignation of the current Australian Statistician, Mr Dennis Trewin.

Mr Trewin has had a lengthy career in Statistics in Australia and New Zealand which culminated in his appointment as Australian Statistician in July 2000, prior to which he was Deputy Australian Statistician.  Mr Trewin has overseen a period of significant statistical development in Australia, including two Population Censuses.

Mr Pink will bring a wealth of experience to the role of Australian Statistician.  At present, Mr Pink holds the position of Government Statistician and Chief Executive of Statistics New Zealand.  He is also currently President of the International Association of Official Statisticians and Vice Chair of the OECD Committee of Statistics.  Mr Pink has previously held senior positions in the Australian Bureau of Statistics and at the WA State Government level.