Attorney-General
Minister for Industrial Relations
Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate
Senator for Western Australia
Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash
Assistant Minister to the Attorney-General
Assistant Minister for Industrial Relations
Assistant Minister for Women
Senator for Queensland
Senator the Hon Amanda Stoker
Joint media release
The Australian Government is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Simon Froude as the Director-General of the National Archives of Australia (National Archives) and the appointment of five members to the National Archives of Australia Advisory Council (the Council).
“I congratulate Mr Froude on his appointment to the important role of overseeing the National Archives which carries out the valuable work of managing government records” said the Attorney-General.
The Director-General is the accountable authority of the National Archives and is responsible for its supervision and direction. The National Archives provides leadership in best practice management of the official records of the Commonwealth and ensures that Australian Government information of enduring significance is secured, preserved and available to government agencies, researchers and the community.
Mr Froude is currently Director of State Records of South Australia, a portfolio agency within the Attorney-General’s Department of South Australia. In this role he is responsible for overseeing records and archival management, freedom of information and privacy across the South Australian public sector. Mr Froude’s experience also includes roles as Manager, Government Recordkeeping, SA Department of the Premier and Cabinet; Manager, Records Management, SA Department for Education; and Records Manager, SA Department for Treasury and Finance.
Mr Froude’s considerable knowledge and experience in archives and records management, teamed with his change management, strategic and leadership capabilities, will enable him to lead the National Archives through the next phase of its transformation.
Mr Froude’s appointment is for five years commencing on 23 May 2022.
Senator Stoker welcomed the five appointees to the Council.
“I congratulate the members of the Advisory Council on their appointment to this important body; I look forward to working with them to bring the National Archives into a new era,” said Senator Stoker.
“The appointments mean the Council will be fully equipped with the expertise and personnel necessary to guide the institution through an important period of change and development.”
The Council provides advice on matters relating to the functions of the National Archives with each member providing guidance and support which is integral to the work of the National Archives.
All appointees are highly qualified to undertake this important task. The five members include reappointed Ms Suzanne Hampel OAM and new appointees Ms Rachel Connors, Dr Anthony Dillon, Ms Alice Spalding and Ms Amy Low. All members have been appointed for a three-year term.
