Cant appointed new Finance boss

Landgate chief executive Jodi Cant has been appointed as the new director general of the Department of Finance, but the state government is still looking for a permanent boss for the Department of Jobs Tourism Science and Innovation.

Ms Cant, who has been at Landgate for 14 years and chief executive since 2017, was formally appointed to the role this week by Governor Kim Beazley.

Finance Minister Ben Wyatt congratulated Ms Cant on the appointment.

“I would like to congratulate Jodi on this appointment, and recognise her strong record in driving innovation in the public service,” he said.

"The Service Priority Review identified the Department of Finance as a key agency to drive efficiency within the public sector, and I am confident that Jodi will very ably lead the department during this reform process."   

As well as her government experience, Ms Cant has worked in the private and not-for-profit sectors in the areas of strategic planning, marketing and communications.

Meanwhile, the government is yet to fill the position of director general of the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation, with Joe Ostojich having recently taken over as acting DG from transport boss Richard Sellers.

Mr Ostojich has been the deputy director general, policy, planning and science within the department since 2017.

He has been with the department since 2006.

Mr Sellers was called in as acting DG in April, after the government forced out Stephen Wood, saying it was unhappy with the way the tourism portfolio was being managed.

The department was created last year as part of a process that involved the amalgamation of multiple agencies.