Assoc. Professor Alex Ackfun
Alex is the Executive Director, Strategic Policy in the Queensland Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning. His current work includes managing intergovernmental projects relevant to the department, oversight of the development of policy and legislation, business improvement and change management. He is an adjunct associate professor in the School of Architecture, a member of the Aboriginal Environments Research Centre, University of Queensland and member of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects’ National Indigenous Housing Taskforce.
Alex has held senior executive positions in the Queensland Public Service since 1993. These have included positions such as Director and General Manager in the Queensland Department of Housing - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Housing and in the Department of Environment and Resource Management - Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Land Services. Alex has previously worked for the Department of Justice and Attorney-General, developing and delivering dispute resolution services within Indigenous communities.
Alex is a past member of the Premier’s Queensland Committee, Centenary of Federation and the Commonwealth State Working Group on Indigenous Housing and Infrastructure. Alex is a past Chair of the Standing Committee, Indigenous Housing which developed strategies for better housing and infrastructure outcomes for Australian Housing Ministers’ under their Building a Better Future – Indigenous Housing 2010 policy. He was the General Manager of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Housing in the Queensland Department of Housing delivering major housing and infrastructure reforms for Indigenous communities in Queensland.
In 2003, Alex received a National Centenary of Federation Medal award for his services to the community and public sector. In 2001, Alex received an Australia Day award from the Queensland Department of Housing for his work achievements and contributions to the community.
Alex has previously worked for the Australian Electoral Commission, Aboriginal Hostels Ltd, Aboriginal Development Commission, the Commonwealth Department of Aboriginal Affairs (DAA. He held project management and policy positions with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC) in the Queensland State Office.
Alex’s formal qualifications include a Bachelor of Business (B.Bus) from the University of Southern Queensland and a Masters (Executive Masters in Public Administration – EMPA) through the Australian and New Zealand School of Government (ANZSOG) and Griffith University, Queensland.
Born in Cairns, Alex identifies proudly as a Torres Strait Islander. He works as a volunteer in a number of community positions as an elder in the Indigenous Sentencing List program (Murri Court), within the Brisbane Central Magistrates Court district and is a past Treasurer and committee member with Reconciliation Queensland Incorporated (RQI). Alex is a member of a number of community-based Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations in Queensland delivering legal, alcohol rehabilitation, kindergarten, and housing and health services.