Sean Turner
35 Turner Place, Yarralumla,ACT
Summary
Results-driven parliamentary officer with a proven track record of applying advanced conceptual, analytical, and writing skills to complex policy and legislative issues. Effective communicator and relationship builder with diverse stakeholders. Demonstrated high-level negotiation and interpersonal skills, consistently exercising sound judgment under pressure. Expert knowledge of parliamentary law, practice, and procedure, with extensive experience providing clear, concise advice on complex, high-profile matters. Strong leadership and managerial skills, driving the successful delivery of strategic organisational outcomes.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Committee Secretary (PEL 2)
Department of the Senate
06.2017 - Current
- I lead a secretariat providing high-quality procedural, research and drafting support for parliamentary inquiries into policy issues, legislation and the scrutiny of departments and agencies.
- I provide advice to Senators and Members on committee and parliamentary law, practice and procedure, and liaise with senior level private and public sector representatives, citizens and the media.
- I have acted as Senior Clerk (Committees) for several periods, most recently for two months in 2024.
- I am a Deputy Clerk at the Table in the Senate chamber, providing procedural and other support to the Clerk, President and other Senators during Senate sittings.
- I am currently secretary of the Senate Economics Committee (May 2024 - present). I have previously been secretary of the following committees: Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services (July 2022 – May 2024); Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committees (April to July 2023); Joint Committee on Law Enforcement and Joint Committee on the Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity (June 2019 – July 2022); Select Committee on the Multi-Jurisdictional Management and Execution of the Murray Darling Basin Plan (July 2019 – September 2021); Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee (June 2018 – June 2019); Joint Select Committee on oversight of the implementation of redress-related recommendations of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse (June 2018 - June 2019).
Principal Research Officer (PEL 1)
Department of the Senate
10.2012 - 05.2017
- In addition to my work as Principal Research Officer (PRO) for the Senate Economics Committees, I was PRO for the Joint Select Committee on Constitutional Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples until October 2013.
- Delegate Secretary for the Economics Committee’s delegation to Singapore and Canada in December 2014.
- Drafting and research support to the Senate Standing Committee on Privileges.
Advisor (APS 6 / EL 1)
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
12.2010 - 10.2012
- Preparation of briefings, Cabinet materials, correspondence, talking points/speech notes and other written materials for the Prime Minister and senior officials in the Department
- Department contact on COAG-related health policy matters
- Strategic and secretariat support for COAG and Senior Officials meetings
- Parliamentary Liaison Officer to the Parliament's Federation Chamber
- Member of the Australia in the Asian Century Taskforce (2012)
- Australian Liaison Officer to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (October 2011)
2010 Graduate Program
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
02.2010 - 12.2010
- Placements in Social Inclusion Unit, Families, Immigration and Social Support Division, Commonwealth-State Relations Branch, Economic Division, Defence Policy and Operations Branch, Defence, Intelligence and Research Coordination Division
Lecturer
University of Adelaide
07.2009 - 12.2009
- Course design and coordination of upper-level course, America, Asia, Cold War
- Supervising tutors
- Preparing and delivering lectures, and facilitating tutorial discussions
- Marking student essays/exams, assessing non-written work, meeting with individual students as required
Lecturer
Flinders University
02.2009 - 07.2009
- Course coordination of first-year course, America and the World: The United States in a Global Context
- Additional responsibilities as above
Associate Lecturer
University of Adelaide
02.2007 - 07.2009
- Facilitating tutorial discussions, preparing and delivering occasional lectures
- Assisting in preparation of course materials/design
- Marking student essays/exams, assessing non-written work, meeting with individual students as required
Education
Diploma of Government -
Australian Public Service Commission
01.2010
Doctor of Philosophy - History
University of Adelaide
01.2008
Bachelor of Arts, with First Class Honours - History
University of Adelaide
01.2000
Recent conferences and seminars
Australia and New Zealand Association of Clerks-at-the-Table, Professional Development Seminar, Darwin, January 2024 (Hosted by the Legislative Assembly of the Northern Territory, Darwin)
Presentation and paper: 'The use of Artificial Intelligence in written submissions to committees'
Inter-Parliamentary Study Program, Canberra, March 2024
Co-presenter: 'Parliaments and the growing use of generative AI'
Deliver regular presentations and seminars to parliamentary and ministerial staffers, senior public servants and other stakeholders on Senate committees, including Senate Estimates
Timeline
Committee Secretary (PEL 2)
Department of the Senate
06.2017 - Current
Principal Research Officer (PEL 1)
Department of the Senate
10.2012 - 05.2017
Advisor (APS 6 / EL 1)
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
12.2010 - 10.2012
2010 Graduate Program
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
02.2010 - 12.2010
Lecturer
University of Adelaide
07.2009 - 12.2009
Lecturer
Flinders University
02.2009 - 07.2009
Associate Lecturer
University of Adelaide
02.2007 - 07.2009
Bachelor of Arts, with First Class Honours - History
University of Adelaide
Diploma of Government -
Australian Public Service Commission
Doctor of Philosophy - History
University of Adelaide
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