Belinda Robinson is the new chair of the Australian Curriculum and Assessment Authority, which manages the NAPLAN school tests. Her appointment was announced by Education Minister Simon Birmingham yesterday.

Ms Robinson recently stood down as CEO of Universities Australia and is now vice president for university relations and strategy at the University of Canberra.

She replaces former vice chancellor Steven Schwartz who steps down after a three-year term.

This is an astute appointment. Ms Robinson is a policy wonk, one of the wonkiest –she understood the labyrinth of HE funding and will quickly be on top of school curriculum content and assessment. And she is a consummate explainer and negotiator, demonstrated by years of keeping 40 or so VCs if not happy then at least acquiescent. A good move on a bad day for the government.