Turnbull shakes up his team with new chief of staff

Former diplomat Peter Woolcott has been tasked with driving reform in Australia's public service as the sector's new commissioner.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has commented on the decision. Source: AAP

A former Australian diplomat and the prime minister's current chief of staff will be the next head of the nation's public service commission.

Peter Woolcott will be tasked with driving reform in the sector when he becomes Australian Public Service Commissioner on August 9, following John Lloyd's resignation, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced on Monday.

Mr Woolcott has worked in the public service for the past three decades, including as ambassador to Italy between 2004 and 2007 and high commissioner to New Zealand in 2016-17.

Peter Woolcott has been named as the next Australian Public Service Commissioner. Source: Getty Images North America

He is currently on leave without pay from his job as deputy secretary at the Department of Foreign Affairs to serve as Mr Turnbull's chief of staff.

Mr Turnbull said the incoming commissioner will work closely with David Thodey, who is leading an independent review into the APS.

"Mr Woolcott is well qualified to help ensure the APS is fit-for-purpose in the years and decades ahead," he said in a statement.

Mr Turnbull's new chief of staff will be Clive Mathieson, a former editor of The Australian newspaper.

Mr Mathieson has been deputy chief of staff since October 2017.

Outgoing APS commissioner Mr Lloyd resigned in June, following months of scrutiny over emails sent to a right-wing think tank.

The previous public service commissioner, John Lloyd, resigned in early June. Source: AAP

A Senate estimates hearing was told that month that an investigation into Mr Lloyd's conduct by the merit protection commissioner could be cut short once he departs.

The news comes after Coalition frontbenchers conceded the Turnbull government will need to rethink its approach and listen to minor party voters after failing to win a Super Saturday by-election.

Cabinet minister Christopher Pyne said the government has to talk to One Nation voters in Queensland to "make sure we're listening to what they have to say".

Another frontbencher Dan Tehan said the party will need to rethink its approach to election campaigns after Labor won four by-elections on Saturday.

Mr Turnbull is now under pressure to change tack on some of his key policies and rethink his approach to One Nation.