Audit and Risk Committee

The Audit and Risk Committee (ARC) is an independent body established in accordance with the Standing Directions 2018 under the Financial Management Act 1994. The ARC is an independent advisory committee reporting directly to the Secretary.  The Secretary appoints all committee members based on their qualifications and experience to ensure that the committee can adequately discharge its duties. The Chief Finance Officer and the Chief Audit Executive attend all ARC meetings. The ARC meets six to seven times a year as determined by the Chair.

The ARC provides the Secretary with independent assurance on the department’s:

• financial and performance reporting
• risk oversight and management
• internal control systems
• legislative and policy compliance.

Membership

The ARC comprises three independent members (including an independent Chair) and two internal members.

Peter Lewinsky (Chair)

Peter Lewinsky is the Chair of DJPR’s Audit and Risk Committee since January 2022. He is also an independent member of the Department’s Integrity Committee.

Peter has an extensive experience with a wide range of Boards in the ASX listed, private, not for profit and Government sectors. Peter is currently the Chair of several government audit and risk committees including DELWP, Ambulance Victoria, Essential Services Commission, and the Environment, Planning, and Strategic Development Directorate (ACT).

Peter is a fellow of Institute of Chartered Accountants, Australia, and Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Pam Mitchell

Pam Mitchell is an independent member of DJPR’s Audit and Risk Committee since 2019. Prior to the 2019 Machinery of Government changes she was also a member of the DEDJR Audit, Risk and Integrity Committee.

Pam is a Chartered Accountant with extensive experience in the establishment, documentation, financial and risk management and reporting of property and investment funds management businesses and superannuation funds.

She holds non-executive directorships with various State Government Boards and is a member of several State and Federal Government audit committees.

Pam is a member of the Chartered Accountants, Australia and New Zealand and has a Bachelor of Business degree.

Patricia Neden

Patricia Neden is an independent member of DJPR’s Audit and Risk Committee since 2019. Previously she was the CEO of Innovation and Business Skills Australia and Deputy Secretary Skills in the Victorian Government.

Patricia has held positions on a number of boards including the Australian Industry and Skills Committee, the Australia Pacific Training Consortium, the National Centre for Vocational Education Research and the Victorian College of the Arts.

Patricia is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a Victorian Fellow of the Institute of Public Administration Australia. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree, a Graduate Diploma of Business Administration and a Diploma of Education.

Matt Lowe

Matt Lowe is the member of DJPR’s Audit and Risk Committee since January 2022. He  is the Chief Executive of the Agriculture Victoria Group at DJPR from June 2020. He is also a member of DJPR’s Executive Board.

Following the State Election in November 2018, Matt was appointed Acting Deputy Secretary, Economic Policy and State Productivity in the Department of Premier and Cabinet. In this senior role Matt led the commencement of key points of work in the infrastructure and economic space for the new government.

Matt has also held senior executive roles in infrastructure, planning and major projects, family violence, veterans, economic development and international engagement. Periods of consulting at Ernst & Young provided Matt with another career experience in the private sector.

Nanette Fitzgerald

Nanette Fitzgerald is the member of DJPR’s Audit and Risk Committee since 2019. She is the Associate Deputy Secretary of Industry Development and Participation within DJPR and is responsible for the development and implementation of policy, strategies and initiatives to drive economic growth through local investment, jobs, employment, inclusion and trade outcomes. Nanette also oversees the government’s Local Jobs First Policy.

Prior to this she was responsible for DEDJTR’s response to the closure of the automotive industry and support to industry through the volatility of gas and electricity prices.

Nanette has worked across government in multiple agencies including land and emergency management roles within Parks Victoria and the State Control Centre.