Robyn Denholm is stepping down from the Tech Council of Australia board as its two ex-pollie directors are also swapped out

Tech Council of Australia founding director and former chair Robyn Denholm will depart the board in February after five years.

Her departure comes amid two other changes to the 10-member board, which features several tech billionaires, with its two ex-politician directors also logging off, replaced by two more.

Former NSW Liberal minister Victor Dominello departed after two years, and former Queensland Labor minister Kate Jones after four.

“With commitments increasing across a few fronts, I’ve decided to narrow my focus and dedicate more time to the Future Government Institute,” Dominello said.

Stepping into their shoes immediately are former federal Liberal MP Paul Fletcher, who was the Morrison government’s communications minister and retired from politics at the last election, earlier this year, and former Victorian Labor innovation minister Jaala Pulford, who now chairs the MTP Connect board.

Chair Scott Farquhar said “their appointments reflect the bipartisan approach that has always underpinned the TCA’s work and our focus on representing the full breadth of the Australian tech sector”.

The board shuffle comes six weeks after CEO Damian Kassabgi announced his departure in 2026, after just two years in the role, to spend more time with his young family in northern NSW.

Denholm will step down at the TCA’s AGM on 17 February, 2026.

“I’ll absolutely remain a strong supporter of the TCA and a champion for our sector,” she said.

“This is a great moment for new leaders to put their hand up, join the Board, and help drive the mission forward. A huge thank you to our incredible members, my fellow Board directors and the entire TCA team.”

The hunt is now on for a member-elected director to replace Denholm, and the TCA said it is encouraging nominations “from across the full breadth of its membership”.

Farquhar paid tribute to the Tesla chair and venture investor for “shaping the TCA since its earliest days and the organisation is stronger because of her leadership and contribution”.