Biographical details—Simon Newnham

Simon Newnham, Deputy Secretary, Integrity and International Group

Simon Newnham is the Deputy Secretary of the Integrity and International Group in the Attorney-General’s Department. Simon is responsible for a wide range of matters including human rights, modern slavery, international law, legal services coordination, royal commissions and integrity, including the establishment of the National Anti-Corruption Commission.  Simon joined the Attorney-General’s Department as First Assistant Secretary of the Integrity and Security Division in early 2022.

Prior to joining the Attorney-General’s Department, Simon held various roles at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. These included the acting Deputy Secretary of International Security, Humanitarian and Consular Group, First Assistant Secretary and Chief Legal Officer of Legal Division, Australia’s Ambassador for Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and the First Assistant Secretary of the Investment and Economic Division, Assistant Secretary in the Office of Trade Negotiations and Minister-Counsellor (Trade) at Australia’s Embassy to the United States in Washington DC. Simon has also been posted to Australia’s Permanent Mission to the World Trade Organisation in Geneva.

Simon previously worked in numerous roles in the office of the Minister for Trade, including as Chief of Staff to Dr Craig Emerson.

Simon holds a Bachelor of Arts/Law (Hons) from Monash University.  Prior to joining DFAT in 2003, Simon worked as a solicitor for Mallesons Stephen Jaques from 1998-2002, including a year as the Aide to the Governor of Victoria, Sir James Gobbo AC, from 1999-2000.