Public sector executive Sven Bluemmel has been appointed as Victoria’s new Electoral Commissioner.
The state government announced the appointment on July 20, following an independent recruitment process overseen by the Department of Premier and Cabinet.
Mr Bluemmel has led high-profile statutory bodies across multiple jurisdictions and has served as Victoria’s Information Commissioner since 2017.
Government Services Minister Danny Pearson said Mr Bluemmel is the ideal person to take on the role.
“Fair and impartial elections are at the heart of democracy in Victoria and as a highly regarded figure in the public sector, Sven Bluemmel is the ideal person to take on this role,” Mr Pearson said.
“I want to thank Warwick Gately for his service as Electoral Commissioner over the past 10 years, overseeing three state elections and implementing landmark reforms to Victoria’s electoral laws in 2018.”
In this role Mr Bluemmel will lead the planning of all state, local government and other elections, and manage the Victorian Electoral Commission engagement with parliament’s oversight body, the Electoral Matters Committee.
Mr Bluemmel’s 10 year term will begin on August 15, and he replaces Warwick Gately who retired in April.
Deputy Electoral Commissioner Dana Fleming will continue acting as commissioner until Mr Bluemmel commences his term.
