Michael Joseph Thawley, AO (born 16 April 1950)[1] is a former senior Australian public servant. From December 2014 to January 2016 he was Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
Michael Thawley | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet | |
| In office 1 December 2014 – 23 January 2016 | |
| 18th Ambassador of Australia to the United States | |
| In office February 2000 – May 2005 | |
| Preceded by | Andrew Peacock |
| Succeeded by | Dennis Richardson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Michael Joseph Thawley 16 April 1950 London, England |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Political party | Liberal Party |
| Alma mater | Australian National University |
| Occupation | Public servant, Diplomat |
Life and career
Thawley was born in London[1] in 1950, the son of an Anglican clergyman, raised in Queensland, and educated at Geelong Grammar School and then at the Australian National University.[2][3] He joined the Department of Foreign Affairs in 1972.[4] There he held various posts including Head of the Papua New Guinea and New Zealand bureaus; Head of Current Intelligence at the Office of National Assessments; Minister at the Australian Embassy, Tokyo; Head of the International Division of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. He was the International Advisor to Prime Minister John Howard, between 1996 and 1999.[5]
From 2000 to 2005, Michael Thawley was Australian Ambassador to the United States of America.[6] While Thawley was in the role, the Australia–United States Free Trade Agreement was established, ensuring greater access to the US market for Australian products.[7] When he left the post, US President George Bush hosted a farewell reception for him in the Oval Office, and dignitaries including US Vice President Dick Cheney, US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice attended.[8]
He was a Senior Vice President and International Advisor at Capital Strategy Research Inc.[when?][9] He was also a board member of the Lowy Institute for International Policy.[when?][10]
In October 2014, Prime Minister Tony Abbott announced Thawley had been appointed Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, commencing 1 December 2014.[11][12][13][14][15] According to media, his brief entering into the role was to concentrate on the Australian Government's economic agenda,[16][17] and to give more structure and form to coordinate the budgetary implications, across all Australian Government departments, of Coalition Government promises and what the Labor Party blocks in Parliament.[18] It was also noted that he could "bring fresh energy to the urgent task of rebuilding relationships between the public service and the political branch."[19] He announced on 24 November 2015 that he would be standing down from the position in January 2016.[20]
Thawley married Deborah Wilkins, an ANU prize winner in French in 1969,[21] in 1970. They have three sons, one of whom is The Hon Justice Thomas Thawley,[22] and five grandchildren.
Awards and honours
Thawley was awarded a Centenary Medal in January 2001 for a significant contribution over many years to international relations.[23] In June 2006 he was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia.[24]
