Employment Minister Michaelia Cash has appointed Diane Smith-Gander as Chairman of Safe Work Australia for the next three years.

Ms Smith-Gander is Chairman of Broadspectrum (formerly Transfield), a non-executive director of Wesfarmers, a Committee for Economic Development of Australia board member and President of Chief Executive Women. She has also held senior roles with Westpac and McKinsey & Company.

Safe Work Australia CEO Michelle Baxter says she looks forward to working with Ms Smith-Gander “to deliver our strategic objectives to improve work health and safety and workers’ compensation arrangements across Australia over the next three years”.

Ms Baxter has also thanked outgoing chairman Ann Sherry for her significant contribution during a three-year tenure.

“Ms Sherry showed strong leadership and a collaborative approach to help Safe Work Australia develop national policy to drive real improvements in workplace safety performance across Australia,” Ms Baxter said.