Andrew Leigh (Fenner, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On behalf of Treasurer Jim Chalmers, Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones and the entire Australian parliament, I'd like to extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Treasury official Skye Kavanagh, who tragically died on 1 November, aged 33. I'd like to particularly acknowledge Skye's mother, Veronica, father, Michael, and brother, Aidan.

In 2016 Skye Kavanagh moved from Melbourne to Canberra to start as a graduate in the Department of the Treasury. Skye was a major contributor to many high-profile and challenging public policy issues across a number of areas in the department. This included law design; the structural reform group; environment, industry and infrastructure; digital platforms; and, most recently, the competition policy unit. With her keen intellect and strong interest in public policy, Skye drafted countless briefs, new policy proposals and cabinet papers to progress key government policies. She was frank and fearless in her advice, deeply knowledgeable in a wide range of public policy matters, constructive, well respected and generous in the way she shared her knowledge.

This was not just within Treasury but across the Public Service, including in the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, the department of infrastructure and ministerial offices. Skye's work included implementing reforms of the Harper competition review, key contributions to the purchase of the Snowy Hydro, establishing the gas code of conduct, energy market misconduct legislation, the electricity retail code and progressing work on the news media bargaining code. Relevant to my portfolio, Skye was instrumental in setting up the competition taskforce 12 months ago and prepared the very first brief advising the government on how and what needed to be done, including merger reform. That merger reform bill is before the parliament today. Skye was involved in setting up the NDIS taskforce within the ACCC to examine possible competition and consumer issues in the sector. Her advice, work and contribution will be part of the public record forever.

Beyond her work, Skye contributed positively to the culture of the department. Skye was involved in the Progressing Women initiative and was an advocate for flexible work arrangements. She practised what she preached and demonstrated how the workplace could and should better support women. Skye Kavanagh's career made life better for Australians. While it is most devastating for her family, friends and colleagues, she is a loss to us all.