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Powerhouse Parramatta CEO Lisa Havilah steps down amid governance probe weeks before opening

By The Media Fact Checker teamUpdated 12 hours ago2 articles from 2 independent sources

Consensus Summary

Lisa Havilah, CEO of Powerhouse Parramatta, stepped down weeks before the November 7 opening amid a government investigation into governance and procurement practices. Both the SMH and ABC confirm the opening date will not be delayed, with Abbie Galvin appointed interim CEO starting September 1 and Louise Herron named as strategic adviser. Havilah has led the $915 million project since 2018 or 2019, depending on the source, and the museum has faced scrutiny over pre-opening spending, including over $70 million in costs. The investigation, described as complex and ongoing for nearly a year, has prompted concerns about budget blowouts and mismanagement, though Havilah has denied any overruns. The Powerhouse Trust and NSW government have reassured staff and the public that operations will continue as planned, despite the unexpected leadership change.

✓ Verified by 2+ sources

Key details reported by multiple sources:

  • Lisa Havilah stepped down as CEO of Powerhouse Parramatta 72 days before the November 7 opening, pending a departmental investigation into governance and procurement practices
  • Lisa Havilah stepped down as CEO of Powerhouse Parramatta 10 weeks before the November 7 opening, pending investigations into governance and procurement
  • Powerhouse Parramatta is scheduled to open on November 7, with no impact to the opening timeline despite Havilah's departure
  • Abbie Galvin, NSW Government Architect, has been appointed interim CEO starting September 1
  • Louise Herron, former CEO of Sydney Opera House, has been named strategic adviser starting Tuesday (August 27)
  • The Powerhouse Parramatta project is a $915 million build, described as the city's most significant cultural infrastructure project since the Sydney Opera House
  • Lisa Havilah was appointed CEO of Powerhouse Parramatta in 2018 (SMH says 2019, ABC says 2018)
  • The Powerhouse has spent over $70 million in pre-opening costs, including $5 million on marketing and PR and $25 million on exhibits for five opening shows
  • Cassandra Wilkinson was appointed acting Chief Operating Officer in July 2026
  • The Powerhouse Museum’s board of trustees met two weeks before August 27 to consider procurement issues at Parramatta

Points of Difference

Details reported by only one source:

Sydney Morning Herald
  • Havilah has been CEO for seven years, appointed in 2019
  • The museum had announced its first event for the November 7 opening five days before her departure
  • NSW Treasury secretary Michael Coutts-Trotter expressed concern about pre-opening overspending in budget estimates on August 27
  • The Public Service Association of NSW has repeatedly written to Arts Minister John Graham about excessive use of external labour and consultants
  • Former trustee Kylie Winkworth accused Graham and board chair David Borger of ignoring documented complaints of mismanagement and waste
  • The museum’s executive was informed of Havilah’s departure at 2:30 PM on August 27
  • The Powerhouse has spent more than $5 million on marketing and PR in Australia and London
  • The museum had sought assurances from NSW Procurement in Treasury in March 2026 about the tender of museum contracts
  • A procurement investigation has been ongoing for almost a year
ABC News
  • The investigation involves 'complex and multiple lines of inquiry' according to the Department of Creative Industries
  • David Borger, President of the Powerhouse Trust, stated the opening date is '100 percent' set for November 7
  • Havilah was previously CEO of the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences (MAAS) for over seven years
  • Havilah oversaw the expansion of Carriageworks multi-arts hub in Redfern
  • Havilah was grilled by upper house MP Chris Rath in March 2026 over budget blowouts
  • Havilah denied any budget overruns for Powerhouse Parramatta or the revitalisation of the Powerhouse Museum in Ultimo
  • Havilah expressed eagerness to attend the opening, saying she would watch the ribbon-cutting

Where the reporting differs

Details that conflict, or appear in only some outlets:

  • The SMH states Havilah was appointed CEO in 2019, while the ABC states she was appointed in 2018
  • The SMH says Havilah stepped down 72 days before the November 7 opening, while the ABC says she stepped down 10 weeks before the opening (72 days is approximately 10 weeks, but the phrasing differs)
  • The SMH mentions Louise Herron’s appointment as strategic adviser starting Tuesday (August 27), while the ABC does not specify a start date for her role

Source Articles

SMH

Powerhouse Parramatta chief Lisa Havilah departs just weeks from opening

After seven years leading the billion-dollar Powerhouse’s move to Parramatta, its chief executive is abruptly stepping down.

14 hours ago
ABC

Powerhouse Parramatta CEO steps aside weeks from grand opening

The decision was announced in a statement from the office of Minister for Arts John Graham on Thursday.

18 hours ago

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