A DISTINGUISHED CAREER SERVING CANBERRANS

Chief Minister Jon Stanhope has paid tribute to the outgoing Chief Executive of the Department of Disability, Housing and Community Services, Ms Sandra Lambert, who has retired after a distinguished public-service career.

"Ms Lambert has spent decades serving the Canberra community - initially as a school teacher and Principal in our public school system, and subsequently in a number of Government agencies and departments," Mr Stanhope said today.

"Most recently, Ms Lambert was Coordinator General of the ACT Stimulus Taskforce, overseeing the roll-out of $350 million in Commonwealth infrastructure investment in ACT schools and social housing during the Global Financial Crisis. Ms Lambert ensured that the ACT's delivery of this historic infrastructure investment was on time, on-budget, and the envy of the rest of the nation.

"Part of her role during this nine-month special appointment was to identify potential reforms to processes that would allow the Federal Government's extremely tight delivery timeframes to be met. The reforms that flowed from this exercise not only ensured that the stimulus package was delivered on time, but have had lasting, flow-on benefits for all other construction work in the Territory."

Ms Lambert was appointed Chief Executive of the new Department of Disability, Housing and Community Services in July 2002.

"As the inaugural head of the department Ms Lambert created a genuinely integrated human services agency," Mr Stanhope said. "Those Canberrans who depend upon the department are among the most vulnerable members of our community - families at risk, people with disabilities, Canberrans without secure housing, and those who lack financial security. Under Ms Lambert's leadership the Department has transformed our community's approach to and understanding of such issues as child protection, disability support, ageing, gender equality and Indigenous self-determination.

"She has fostered a culture in the Department that is truly focused on the client. One of her great talents has been to ensure that different areas of the public service talk to each other and provide seamless support for Canberrans in need."

From 1999 to 2002 Ms Lambert was Deputy Chief Executive in the Chief Minister's Department. She previously held senior positions in the ACT Department of Education. She began her career as a teacher, rising to become Principal of Hawker College.

Media Contact:

Jess Wurf 6205 0504 0411 772 700 jess.wurf@act.gov.au