The Premier, Lara Giddings, today announced the appointment of Simon Overland as the new Secretary of Justice.

Ms Giddings said Mr Overland had been unanimously recommended by an independent selection panel after an exhaustive recruitment process that included both national advertising and 'head-hunting' by an executive search agency.

"Mr Overland was the unanimous recommendation of the selection panel as the most outstanding applicant," Ms Giddings said.

Ms Giddings said the independent panel had given their recommendation careful consideration, including extensive reference checks.

"Mr Overland's referees were extremely positive and this reinforced the panel's view that he was the best candidate for appointment.

"He demonstrated that he had a very high level of leadership skills, strong management capability and a well-developed understanding of the justice portfolio.

"Mr Overland has turned down a position on the Commonwealth Government's Migration Review Panel to work in Tasmania and I expect that Canberra's loss with be our gain."

Mr Overland has a Bachelor of Laws with first class honours from ANU and has had a strong social justice focus throughout his career.

Mr Overland worked for the Australian Federal Police, between 1984 and 2002, rising through to senior leadership roles and secondment to the Commonwealth Attorney General's Department to lead the formation of the Australian Crime Commission. 

He has worked in various positions in Victoria Police from Assistant Commissioner Crime leading the Purana Taskforce investigation into Melbourne gangland violence, to Deputy Commissioner and Chief Commissioner from March 2009 until mid-2011.

"I acknowledge that this may be seen as a controversial appointment given the intense media scrutiny surrounding Mr Overland's former role as Chief Commissioner," Ms Giddings said.

"This appointment has been given careful consideration and I do not believe that anything has occurred which should preclude Mr Overland from taking up this position.

"I am looking forward to Mr Overland's contribution to the public service in this State.  I am sure his wealth of skills and experience will see him have a substantial and positive impact.

"I would also like to thank Deputy Secretaries Robert Williams and Michael Stevens who have been sharing the role of Acting Secretary since Lisa Hutton left the office in April."