Ajay Sharma received the Public Service Medal in 2023. Photo: ACT Audit Office
The ACT will have a new public sector watchdog in the New Year, with an honoured public servant of more than 20 years’ experience taking over from outgoing Auditor-General Michael Harris.
The Acting Speaker of the ACT Legislative Assembly, Andrew Braddock, has announced that Ajay Sharma PSM has been appointed for a seven-year term.
Mr Braddock said Mr Sharma was appointed after a robust recruitment process and consultations, including with the Standing Committee on the Integrity Commission and Statutory Office Holders.
Mr Sharma has worked in a variety of roles at the ACT Audit Office for more than 20 years, including as Assistant Auditor-General since 2017.
He was Acting ACT Auditor-General for seven months from August 2018 to February 2019.
In 2023, Mr Sharma received the Public Service Medal for outstanding public service to finance, and for strengthening accountability and transparency throughout the ACT Public Service.
“Mr Sharma has extensive experience auditing the ACT public sector and has been recognised for his contribution to accountability and transparency,” Mr Braddock said.
“I look forward to him commencing as ACT Auditor-General on 8 February 2026.”
The Auditor-General conducts independent financial and performance audits of ACT Government agencies and government-funded entities, and is an important means of holding government to account and of enabling agencies to improve their services.
The Assembly’s Standing Committee on Public Accounts and Administration reviews Auditor-General reports and examines government witnesses on their progress in implementing the Auditor-General’s recommendations.
Mr Harris has been the ACT Auditor-General since February 2019.
