auDA hires former Liberal MP as new CEO

Top level domain administration company auDA has named former state parliamentarian, one-time police officer and soldier Cameron Boardman as its new chief executive.

Cameron Boardman

Later this month Boardman will step into a role that was left vacant by the departure of former CEO Chris Disspain, whose contract with the company was ended prematurely in March.

Boardman is perhaps best known for holding the Victorian Legislative Council seat of Chelsea for the Liberal Party between 1996 and 2002, having been first elected to state parliament at the age of 25.

Most recently he led the state government’s investment activities within its key economic sectors as the executive director for investor engagement within the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources.

Among numerous other roles, the former Victorian police officer and Australian Army soldier has also led the Hong Kong government’s trade development mission in Australia and New Zealand, and held senior executive roles overseeing the state government’s innovation and science agenda.

auDA said its search for a new chief had attracted in excess of 150 highly qualified applicants.

“As auDA looks to the future to become better connected and engaged with its members and stakeholders, the breadth of experience that Boardman brings to the position including his extensive policy development, commercial and international skills, will ensure the organisation will be exceptionally well led into the future,” auDA chairman Stuart Benjamin said in a statement.

“This is an exciting time for auDA and the broader domain and digital community. The board is looking forward to auDA re-positioning itself as the leading advocate of the .au domain space and ensuring its members and stakeholders views are integral as the National Innovation and Science Agenda continues to be implemented.”