Allan Hawke
AC
Personal details
Born(1948-02-18)18 February 1948
Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
Died31 August 2022(2022-08-31) (aged 74)
Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
SpouseMaria Michele Senti
Alma materAustralian National University
OccupationPublic servant, diplomat, chancellor, company director
AwardsCompanion of the Order of Australia (2010)
Centenary Medal (2001)

Allan Douglas Hawke AC (18 February 1948 – 31 August 2022) was an Australian senior public servant and diplomat.

During his public service career, Hawke served as Chief of Staff to Prime Minister Paul Keating; Secretary of the Department of Veterans' Affairs (1994–1996); Secretary of the Department of Transport and Regional Services (1996–1999); and Secretary of the Department of Defence (1999–2002). Hawke was then appointed High Commissioner to New Zealand (2003–2005), and subsequently Chancellor of the Australian National University (2006–2008).[1]

Hawke was Chairman of the Canberra Raiders Board of Directors.[2]

Background and early years

Hawke was born in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, and educated at Queanbeyan High School in New South Wales. Hawke held a Bachelor of Science (1st Class Honours) and a Doctor of Philosophy from the Australian National University, Canberra.[3]

Career

Hawke's extensive career in public administration at senior levels included appointments as Secretary of the Departments of |Veterans' Affairs, Transport and Regional Development (later Transport and Regional Services) and Defence.[4] He completed his public service to Australia as High Commissioner and Plenipotentiary of Australia to New Zealand, between 2003 and 2006.[5]

Hawke was appointed a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Public Administration (FAIPA) in 1998 and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management (FAIM) in 1999, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to public service. In 2001, he became a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (FAICD) and was also honoured with the Centenary Medal for his service as Secretary to the Department of Defence.[6] The Australian Financial Review's "Boss" Magazine named him as one of Australia's top 30 true leaders in its inaugural list in 2001.[7]

In 2010, Hawke was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia for his eminent service to public administration, particularly through the formulation and implementation of policy in the areas of transport, defence and education, and to the strengthening of bilateral relations with New Zealand.[8][9]

Hawke participated in major inquiries into the Commonwealth Public Service including:

On 3 September 2010, ACT Chief Minister Jon Stanhope announced that Hawke would lead a review into the Australian Capital Territory's Public Service.[10] Following the release of his findings in March 2011, the Federal Government ordered another review into the National Capital Authority, where Hawke will conduct the inquiry.[citation needed]

In March 2011, Immigration Minister, Chris Bowen, announced that an independent review into the Christmas Island breakouts and riots will be carried out by two former senior public servants, Dr Allan Hawke and Helen Williams.[11] Also in March 2011, the Minister for Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government, the Hon Simon Crean MP, announced that Hawke was to conduct an independent review of the National Capital Authority.[citation needed]

Hawke served on various boards including the Management Advisory Board, Administrative Review Council, Australian Strategic Policy Institute Council,[12] Foreign Affairs Council and the Defence and National Security Advisory Council.[13] Hawke's other appointments included Chairs of the MTAA Superannuation Fund Trustee Board, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, the Canberra Raiders Board, and the Prime Ministerial Advisory Council on Ex-Service Matters; a director of ACTEW Corporation; and a member of the Centre for Applied Philosophy & Public Ethics Advisory Board

Personal life

Hawke married Maria Michele Senti on 2 April 1977 and they have one child. For recreation he enjoyed golf, researching family history and he was a member of the Royal Canberra Golf Club.[3]

Hawke died of cancer on 31 August 2022.[14][15]

References

  1. ^ "ANU bids a fond farewell to Chancellor Allan Hawke" (Press release). The Australian National University. 17 December 2008. Retrieved 11 April 2018.[permanent dead link]
  2. ^ "Board of Directors".
  3. ^ a b "Who's Who in Business Australia 2009 Volume 1 Biographies". Crowncontent. 1 January 2009. pp. 384–385. Archived from the original on 16 April 2010. Retrieved 26 April 2010.
  4. ^ Hawke, Allan (1 October 2013). "People are far more than mere 'resources'". The Age. Archived from the original on 18 November 2013.
  5. ^ Downer, Alexander (2 May 2003). "Diplomatic appointment: High Commissioner to New Zealand" (Press release).
  6. ^ Centenary Medal Archived 29 June 2011 at the Wayback Machine, It's an Honour, Australian Government. Retrieved 14 June 2010
  7. ^ PMAC Biographies Archived 27 September 2010 at the Wayback Machine, Australian Government. Retrieved 14 June 2010
  8. ^ Companion of the Order of Australia Archived 29 January 2019 at the Wayback Machine, It's an Honour, itsanhonour.gov.au
  9. ^ Queen's Birthday honours for dozens of Canberrans, ABC 14 June 2010
  10. ^ ACT public service under review[permanent dead link], ABC, 3 September 2010
  11. ^ "Yahoo!7 News". Archived from the original on 26 September 2012. Retrieved 22 March 2011.
  12. ^ "Australian Strategic Policy Institute". Archived from the original on 10 August 2007. Retrieved 12 August 2007.
  13. ^ About the review, DEWHA, 1 May 2010.
  14. ^ "A servant to the nation and ANU: Dr Allan Hawke". ANU. 1 September 2022. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
  15. ^ "Vale: Dr Allan Hawke AC". Canberra Raiders. 31 August 2022. Retrieved 1 September 2022.

Further reading

Government offices Preceded byPaul Barratt Secretary of the Department of Defence 1999–2002 Succeeded byRic Smith Preceded byHimselfas Secretary of the Department of Transport and Regional Development Secretary of the Department of Transport and Regional Services 1998–1999 Succeeded byKen Matthews Preceded byPeter Coreas Secretary of the Department of Transport Secretary of the Department of Transport and Regional Development 1996–1998 Succeeded byHimselfas Secretary of the Department of Transport and Regional Services Preceded byAndrew Podgeras Secretary of the Department of Housing and Regional Development Preceded byLionel Woodward Secretary of the Department of Veterans' Affairs 1994–1996 Succeeded byNeil Johnston Diplomatic posts Preceded byBob Cotton Australian High Commissioner to New Zealand 2003–2006 Succeeded byJohn Dauth Academic offices Preceded byPeter Baume Chancellor of the Australian National University 2006–2008 Succeeded byKim Beazley
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