David Fredericks

David Fredericks PSM is the Secretary of the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, having been appointed at the establishment of the new department on 1 July 2022.

Prior to this, David was the Secretary of the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources from 3 February 2020, and previously was Secretary of the Department of the Environment and Energy from late 2019.

David had previously held a number of Deputy Secretary positions from 2011, including being the Deputy Secretary at the Department of Finance with responsibility for the Budget, and the DeputySecretary of Business Enabling Services. David was also the Deputy Secretary, Civil Justice and Legal Services in the Attorney-General’s Department, and also was the Chief Operating Officer.

David has held senior ministerial adviser roles at both the Commonwealth and state level, including as the Chief of Staff to the Commonwealth Minister for Climate Change and Water in 2008 before moving to the Prime Minister’s Office. He also previously served as Director of the Economic Reform Unit in the Solomon Islands Ministry of Finance on secondment from the Australian Treasury, and was Executive Director of the Policy Division in the Victorian Department of Premier and Cabinet.

He also practiced as a barrister in Sydney for five years.

David has degrees in Law (with First Class Honours) and Economics from Sydney University. He was awarded the Public Service Medal in the 2020 Australia Day Honours for services to the Budget and to reform in the Attorney-General’s portfolio.