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Following recent changes to departmental responsibilities, functions of the former Department of Housing and Public Works have been transferred to new departments. Work is underway to develop and update departments' websites.

Executive leadership

James Purtill
Director-General

James Purtill was appointed as Director-General of the Department of Energy and Public Works in November 2020. Prior to this James was Director-General of the Department of Natural Resources and Mines from July 2015, and from December 2017 he led the Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy. Prior to this appointment, James was the Director-General, Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, a position held since 2013.

James was formerly the Director-General of Queensland’s Environmental Protection Agency and Commissioner of the Public Service. His private sector experience includes a senior role with a large multi-national Engineering, Procurement and Contract Management firm, and he served as Managing Director for an environmental rehabilitation company.

James’ academic qualifications include a Science degree with Honours from the University of New South Wales and an MBA from the University of Queensland. He is also a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, a Fellow of the Australia and New Zealand School of Government and a Fellow of the Institute of Public Administration Australia.

Graham Atkins
Deputy Director-General, Building Policy and Asset Management

BASc (Quantity Surveying), ADip App Sc (Building)

Graham has vast experience in the building and construction industry, spanning a number of decades. Graham has contributed to the Executive Leadership Team in his role as Deputy Director-General since joining the department in July 2011.

In this role, Graham has led the State’s primary building and construction service provider to deliver major projects, building maintenance, and facility management services for client agencies and departments.  With offices across Queensland, including regional and remote communities, he has been strongly focused on developing an agile, flexible workforce while driving a ‘customer’s first’ culture.  In addition, Graham has worked collaboratively with industry stakeholders to deliver on key legislative reforms for the building industry.

Graham has held senior executive positions within other government departments, including Deputy Director-General of the Department of Education and Training, where he was responsible for infrastructure planning and delivery. Graham holds a Queensland Open Builders Licence.

Paige Ridgewell
Assistant Director-General, QBuild

BLeisSt, MBA, MPP, MAICD

Paige’s 25-year Queensland public sector career has seen her working across a number of portfolios including infrastructure and planning, main roads, racing, national parks, social policy, and sport and recreation. She is known for her experience in successfully leading transformation within government through community collaboration and co-design and a strong focus on creating better futures for Queenslanders. She has extensive experience in managing and directing teams to achieve high-level outcomes in strategy, policy and program development.

Most recently, in her previous role as Assistant Director-General, Sport and Recreation, Paige led the delivery of the Queensland Government’s Activate! Queensland 2019–2029 sport strategy. The strategy channels investment across the Queensland Government to build and activate infrastructure and social environments that support communities across the state and inspire physical activity. Paige brings her many years’ experience as an athlete, coach and administrator to the work environment by applying the principles of high performance, training and teamwork.

Sharon Bailey
Acting Assistant Director-General and Chief Advisor, Queensland Government Procurement

BSocWk, BA, PgD-Arts

Sharon joined Department of Housing and Public Works in April 2019 and brings extensive policy implementation experience across Federal and State jurisdictions of government.

Most recently, she spent 7 years with the Australian Government, undertaking both corporate and policy roles within the Department of Social Services. This followed numerous economic and social policy roles across the Queensland Government, including the Departments of the Premier and Cabinet, Public Works and Families and Communities.

Richard Cassidy
Assistant Director-General, Building Legislation and Policy

BCom

Richard Cassidy commenced as Assistant Director-General, Building Legislation and Policy in February 2019 and brings many years’ strategic leadership experience within public sector environments. Richard’s approach is characterised by a strong focus on outcomes and a demonstrated ability to develop policy and strategy solutions, which meet the needs of diverse stakeholder groups.

Richard has previously worked for the department as the Executive Director, Office of the Chief Advisor Procurement, where he led the development and implementation of the Buy Queensland procurement policy to deliver broader economic, social and environmental outcomes for Queensland through the government’s procurement spend.

Richard has also spent time as a management consultant providing infrastructure advisory services and prior to that working for Queensland Health implementing large system-wide reforms.

Irene Violet
Acting Deputy Director-General, Strategy, Policy and Engagement

BHSc, BA (Psych), MBA, GAICD

Irene leads the Strategy, Policy and Engagement division and has been part of the Executive Leadership Team at Housing and Public Works since 2017. Most recently, Irene, as Deputy Director-General, Customer and Digital Strategy, lead the government priority to develop and deliver responsive government services. This included whole-of-government digital and ICT policies, designed to improve the lives of Queenslanders. During that time, Irene also participated in a 6 month interchange with the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training, as acting Deputy Director-General, Investment where she was responsible for the investment in the government’s vocational education and training programs, small business and employment grants and programs, as well as training infrastructure.

Previously, Irene was the Assistant Director-General, Queensland Shared Services with responsibility for modernising and optimising the shared services used by 25 Queensland Government agencies and departments. She has also held several senior executive roles at WorkCover Queensland, with responsibilities for corporate services, customer services and specialist advisory teams.

Irene is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Robyn Turbit
Assistant Director-General, Corporate Services

BCom, BEcon

In her career spanning over 40 years, Robyn has worked in various public and private sectors, predominantly in accounting, auditing and governance functions and has undertaken roles using many employment styles, including full-time, part-time, telecommuting and contracting.

Robyn has worked in various iterations of the Department of Housing and Public Works for more than 30 years. Robyn was appointed as the first Internal Audit Manager for the department and went on to fill a variety of positions until her appointment to the Assistant Director-General, Corporate Services position, which she has held since 2007.

Last updated: 
10 December 2020