The Commissioners

Nick Kaldas held two of the most senior roles in the New South Wales Police Force executive (Sydney, NSW), serving as Deputy Commissioner for almost a decade and, prior to that, Assistant Commissioner (Counter Terrorism and Special Tactics). He relieved as Commissioner of Police extensively. His career as a NSW Police Officer spanned almost 35 years, primarily in major and organised crime investigations, and counter-terrorism, with over a decade in homicide investigations. He also served in a number of senior roles within the United Nations system, and led the UN investigation into the assassination of Lebanese Prime Minister Hariri, and the investigation into the use of chemical weapons in the Syrian conflict. He was a member of numerous Government committees, at State and national levels. He is Egyptian-born, and fluent in Arabic and partially in French.

He is the Chair of the Advisory Board of Multicultural NSW; a member of the Board of Police Bank; a member of the Advisory Board of Holdmark Construction; a member of the Board of the Commission for International Justice and Accountability; and a member of the Independent Steering Committee, Operation Kenova (Scotland Yard re-investigation of a number of murders committed during the troubles in Northern Ireland).

Commissioner Kaldas holds a Masters' Degree in Public Policy and Administration and is a graduate of the FBI's Hostage Negotiation Program, their Leadership in Counter Terrorism Program, and the FBI National Executive Institute, the peak program for law enforcement executives. He has received numerous awards, including the Australian Police Medal, the National Medal, the Overseas Humanitarian Service Medal, and numerous commendations for outstanding performance of duty in Australia and overseas.

He has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Western Sydney University. He is an Industry Professor with University of Technology Sydney. He was a member of the Australian National Counter Terrorism Committee for eight years, the peak policy body dealing with Counter Terrorism in Australia. He is a Senior Fellow with the Australian Strategic Policy Institute. His consulting company, Kaldas and Associates, primarily advises on security, governance and related issues.

Commissioner Kaldas will take no part in any inquiry (if there is one) into any of the organisations mentioned above.

James Douglas was a Judge of the Supreme Court of Queensland from 2003 until his retirement in 2020. He holds degrees in Arts and Law from the University of Queensland and a postgraduate Bachelor of Laws (1976) from Cambridge University. In 1972 he served as associate to his father, the Honourable Justice James Douglas, and later to the Right Honourable Sir Harry Gibbs GCMG KBE AC (1973–74).

He was admitted as a barrister of the Supreme Court of Queensland in 1973 and, after completing his studies at Cambridge in 1976, commenced practice at the bar in 1977. He was appointed Queen’s Counsel (now King's Counsel) in 1989. He served as president (1999–2001) of the Bar Association of Queensland. As a member of the Supreme Court he chaired the Rules Committee and the Streamlining Criminal Justice Committee.

Outside the law, Commissioner Douglas has been Chairman of the Queensland Theatre Company (1990–1996); Chairman of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra Advisory Board (1989–1996); president of the Alliance Française de Brisbane Inc (2005–2010); a member of the Senate of the Australian Catholic University (2013 to date); and president of the Order of Malta Australia (2019 to date). He is married with two adult children.

Commissioner Douglas will take no part in any inquiry (if there is one) into the ACU’s Student Veterans Support Program or the Order of Malta’s support for homeless veterans.

Peggy Brown is a Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP), a member of the RANZCP Section on Leadership and Management, a member of the RANZCP Military, Veterans’ and Emergency Services Personnel Mental Health Network (MVESPMHN) and also of the RANZCP ADHD Network.

She is currently appointed as a Member of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee. She was previously contracted by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs in relation to the conduct of two reviews: Review of Trauma Recovery Program, and Review of the Well-Being and Support Program. She was a member of the DVA Chief Health Officer’s Mental Health Expert Advisory Group from February to July 2021, and was engaged by the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care to provide strategic support and advice; and to chair the Expert Advisory Group for the Independent Qualitative Review of Past Defence and Veteran Suicides being conducted by the ACSQHC on behalf of the Interim National Commissioner on Defence and Veteran Suicides.

Commissioner Brown was the Chief Executive Officer at the National Mental Health Commission when it conducted the Review of Suicide and Self-Harm Services for Current and Former Members of the Australian Defence Force and their Families in 2016–17. Her husband was a member of the Australian Army from 1976 to 1985, and the ADF Reserves from 1986 to 1987. Neither Commissioner Brown nor her husband receive any ongoing financial or other supports relating to this past employment.

Commissioner Brown will not contribute to any submission or appearance (if there is one) before the Royal Commission by the RANZCP or any of its Faculties, Sections or Networks. She will take no part in any inquiry (if there is one) into pharmaceutical products available to current and former members of the Australian Defence Force via the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.