Secretary, Department of Treasury and Finance
Chris Barrett
Chris leads the Department in its role of providing economic, financial and resource management policy advice to the Government. Chris commenced as DTF Secretary in December 2023.
Chris joined DTF as Deputy Secretary of the Economic Division in January 2021. Chris was responsible for the provision of high-level economic and policy advice to Government on productivity, taxation and regulation, along with social, environmental and economic development issues.
Before this, Chris was the CEO of Invest Victoria, and led both the Victorian Government’s approach to investment attraction and the Economic Recovery Mission in response to coronavirus (COVID-19).
Chris’ career includes over two decades in public service in Melbourne, Canberra and internationally, including as Deputy Secretary, Policy and Cabinet in the Victorian Department of Premier and Cabinet.
In 2011, Chris was appointed Australian Ambassador to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in Paris, where he led Australia’s engagement with the OECD and contributed to global best-practice public policy. Following on from his role with the OECD, Chris spent four years with the European Climate Foundation in Berlin, where, as Executive Director, Finance and Economics, he led an international philanthropic strategy on the economic and financial implications and opportunities of the low-carbon transition.
Deputy Secretary, Economic Division
Paul Donegan
Paul first joined DTF in 2016. Before starting as Deputy Secretary, Paul was the Executive Director of DTF’s Economic Group, and prior to that, Director of Portfolio Analysis. He has a strong background in addressing significant economic challenges, with leadership roles across State and Commonwealth public services.
The Economic Division provides high-level economic and policy advice to the Government on productivity, taxation and regulation, along with social, environmental and economic development issues.
Deputy Secretary, Budget and Finance Division
Chris Hotham
Chris commenced as Deputy Secretary of the Budget and Finance Division in January 2024. Prior to joining DTF, Chris was with the Department of Health, where he was Deputy Secretary of the Infrastructure Division since December 2019. In that role, Chris has been responsible for infrastructure policy, partnerships and the Victorian Health Building Authority (VHBA). Before his time at Health, Chris spent over 10 years with the Department of Premier and Cabinet, where he held several leadership roles, including Executive Director of Economic Strategy in which capacity he led DPC’s contribution to the budget process.
The Budget and Finance Division provides advice on the State’s fiscal resources, financial management and consolidated reporting, as well as providing financial advice on public sector workplace agreements.
Deputy Secretary, Infrastructure Division
Kate O’Sullivan
Kate first joined DTF in 2001. Before starting as Deputy Secretary, Kate was the Executive Director of DTF’s Infrastructure Policy and Assurance Group in the Commercial Division. Kate has extensive experience in infrastructure procurement and contracting, at both Commonwealth and State Government levels.
The Infrastructure Division provides advice on infrastructure projects throughout all phases of development and implementation. This includes commercial, financial, technical and risk management advice to the Government and guidance to departments and delivery agencies on infrastructure procurement, contracting, delivery and system-wide analysis and strategies.
Deputy Secretary, Commercial Division
Camille Kingston
Camille commenced as Deputy Secretary of the Commercial Division in January 2024. Prior to joining DTF, Camille was with the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing as Deputy Secretary, System Reform and Workforce. She has also spent time in leadership roles with the Australian Federal Police and the Department of Justice and Community Safety, and prior to that, was the Executive Director of the Strategy and Reform Group in DTF’s Economic Division.
The Commercial Division is accountable for providing advice on the state's financial assets and liabilities, along with oversight of the Government’s business enterprises. It takes a lead role in overseeing significant government commercial transactions, providing both transaction advisory services and advice. Additionally, the Division manages the regulatory function that provides oversight of the performance of the community housing sector in Victoria.
Deputy Secretary, Industrial Relations Victoria
Matt O’Connor
Matt was appointed as the Deputy Secretary of Industrial Relations Victoria in April 2015. He has overseen the development of significant industrial relations legislative policy reforms, including labour hire licensing, long service leave, child employment, wage theft and the gig economy. Matt has led the implementation of the public sector industrial relations bargaining strategy for several years. He has also overseen the government’s participation in significant legal proceedings in the Fair Work Commission.
Industrial Relations Victoria (IRV) is the Government’s lead agency for developing industrial relations policy and initiatives in Victoria. IRV consults with Victoria's private sector on industrial relations matters. It leads Government participation in workplace-related reviews and inquiries. It also supports the Government's contribution towards maintaining Australia's national industrial relations system. The IRV public sector unit oversees enterprise bargaining across the Victorian public sector and provides specialised industrial relations advice to Government.