An Hour in the Room with Damien Walker

Damien Walker was appointed Chief Executive of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet in April 2022.

In leading the South Australian public service, Damien brings to the role his extensive experience in strategic planning, industry development and public policy gained from over a decade of service with the Queensland government.

Damien’s background in infrastructure planning and delivery has been an integral part of his strong public administration focus as Chief Executive and a key driver for vital economic growth projects and events for the state including the delivery and renewal of the AFL Gather Round and Liv Golf.

Damien’s professional background in infrastructure planning and delivery, investment facilitation, contract management and reform implementation has shaped the development of the state’s flagship hospital, the new Royal Adelaide, the Glenside campus redevelopment and the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) building.

As the Director-General of the Queensland Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning and in other senior leadership roles held, Damien led critical work to drive state economic growth and job creation including the state’s winning bid for the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.

Damien also led the Queensland Government’s flood recovery efforts in 2021 prior to returning to the South Australian government.


Damien serves as a board member for several organisations on matters of economic development, trade, and investment.

Damien is passionate about gender equity in the workplace and the prevention of domestic and family violence and advocate for reconciliation and the creation of greater equality and opportunities for First Nations people.

Damien holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Planning, and qualifications in property and planning.

He is a proud South Australian, who has returned to the South Australian Public Sector following nearly 12 years living interstate. Damien is married to Tamara and has three young daughters.

Appointed on 1 July 2014, Commissioner for Public Sector Employment Erma Ranieri works passionately towards creating a world-leading public sector that serves South Australians well, does what it says it will do, and to which every public servant is proud to belong.

With the role of the public sector being to serve and support South Australia to thrive, Erma leads sector-wide reform to modernise the public sector and continue to build on its value and service to the South Australian community.

Erma has worked for more than 30 years to help organisations optimise productivity and employee wellbeing. She was named a 2014 Telstra Business Woman of the Year as SA Winner of the Telstra Community and Government Award for her role in leading transformational change throughout the public sector.

With a key focus on flexibility, diversity and leadership development to ensure the public sector is positioned as an Employer of Choice, Erma continues to challenge cultural and structural barriers to drive innovative, collaborative and connected services for the community.