Health Minister Sussan Ley has a new chief of staff with the appointment of Dr Lisa Studdert to the role recently vacated by Craig Bosworth.
Dr Studdert takes on the role from today having been First Assistant Secretary of the Department of Health's Population Health and Sport Division.
She is well known to the pharmaceutical and medical device sectors.Dr Studdert previously worked at the TGA leading its Market Authorisation Division, where she had a reputation for building positive working relationships with stakeholder groups.
Several stakeholders told PharmaDispatch her appointment would be widely welcomed given her policy experience, expertise and collaborative approach.
Minister Ley and her office have often adopted a combative approach with stakeholders.
Dr Studdert has previously worked as a ministerial adviser responsible for public and indigenous health, for Dr Michael Wooldridge from 1999 to 2001 in the John Howard led Coalition government.
She earned postgraduate qualifications from Cornell University, including a PhD in International Nutrition.
Following the 2001 election, Dr Studdert worked for the World Food Programme and the Asia Development Bank, before returning to Australia, initially with Aspen Medical.
