Simon Atkinson is the former Secretary of the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications. He has extensive government and public policy experience. Prior to his appointment as Secretary, he served as Deputy Secretary, Fiscal Group at the Treasury.

Mr Atkinson joined the Australian Public Service as a graduate and held senior roles in many Australian Government portfolios, including Infrastructure and Regional Development, Finance, Defence, and Prime Minister and Cabinet. He has held leadership roles delivering major policy reforms, including the establishment of Infrastructure Australia in 2007, the 2009 Defence White Paper and 24 Commonwealth economic updates. Mr Atkinson also led the Budget and Fiscal element of the Regional Assistance Mission in the Solomon Islands in 2003.

Before joining the Australian Public Service, Mr Atkinson commenced his career with the Queensland Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. He is an alumnus of the University of Queensland with bachelor degrees in Science and Law. He is a barrister and solicitor of the Federal Court and the Supreme Court of NSW.

Mr Atkinson holds a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.