Danny Cloghan, whose prior roles include being chief of staff to former health minister and attornery general Jim McGinty, is among six new appointments to Fair Work Australia.
Minister for Workplace Relations Julia Gillard announced the appointments this week.
Under the federal government's new workplace relations system, Fair Work Australia commissioners are appointed to be "independent umpires".
Ms Gillard said the newly appointed commissioners are "fair-minded and capable professionals from varied backgrounds".
However, five of the six new commissioners come from a union background, with only one having experince with an employer group.
The new commissioners are: Peter Hampton, Danny Cloghan, Anne Gooley, John Ryan, Michelle Bissett and Julius Roe.
Mr Cloghan is currently acting executive director, Finance and Corporate Division, WA Department of Health. He has almost 30 years involvement in workplace relations matters, including in the union movement.
Mr Cloghan is currently also a Director, Community CPS Credit Union. He holds a Master of Industrial Relations and Bachelor of Arts degree.
