Allan Hawke

Allan Hawke AC
Personal details
Born	Allan Douglas Hawke (1948-02-18) 18 February 1948 Canberra, ACT, Australia
Nationality	Australian
Spouse(s)	Maria Michele Senti
Alma mater	Australian National University
Occupation	Public servant, Diplomat, Chancellor, Company director
Awards	Companion of the Order of Australia (2010), Centenary Medal (2001)

Allan Douglas Hawke AC (born 18 February 1948) is a former Australian senior public servant and diplomat.

He has 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 (2006–2009).

Since then, Hawke has been a director of the Canberra Raiders.

Background and early years

Hawke was born in Canberra, ACT, Australia and educated at Queanbeyan High School, New South Wales. Hawke holds a Bachelor of Science (1st Class Honours) and a Doctor of Philosophy from the Australian National University, Canberra.

Career

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

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. The Australian Financial Review’s "Boss" Magazine named him as one of Australia’s top 30 true leaders in its inaugural list in 2001.

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.

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

• the Review of Commonwealth Functions;
• the Review of Commonwealth Administration and the Efficiency Scrutiny Unit;
• Head of the Secretariat for the Review of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission;
• The Hawke Report - a review of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act, the Act);
• the Review of the Administration of the Home Insulation Program - a review into the failings and the future of the Home Insulation Program (part of the Renewable Energy Bonus Scheme);
• government review of Woomera Prohibited Area; and
• a foundation member of the Management Improvement Advisory Committee.

On 3 September 2010, ACT Chief Minister Jon Stanhope announced that Hawke would lead a review into the Australian Capital Territories' Public Service. 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.

In March 2011, Immigration Minister, the Hon Chris Bowen MP, 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. 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.

Hawke has served on various boards including the Management Advisory Board, Administrative Review Council, Australian Strategic Policy Institute Council, Foreign Affairs Council and the Defence and National Security Advisory Council.

Hawke's appointments have included:

• Chair - MTAA Superannuation Fund Trustee Board
• Chair - Civil Aviation and Safety Authority Board
• Member - Foreign Affairs Council
• Member - Defence and National Security Advisory Council
• Member - Australian Strategic Policy Institute
• Director - Canberra Raiders Board
• Director - ACTEW Corporation
• Member - Centre for Applied Philosophy & Public Ethics Advisory Board
• Chair - Prime Ministerial Advisory Council on Ex-Service Matters
• Director - Datacom Australia

Personal life

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

Further reading

Government offices
Preceded by Paul Barratt	Secretary of the Department of Defence 1999 – 2002	Succeeded by Ric Smith
Preceded by Himself as Secretary of the Department of Transport and Regional Development	Secretary of the Department of Transport and Regional Services 1998 – 1999	Succeeded by Ken Matthews
Preceded by Peter Core as Secretary of the Department of Transport	Secretary of the Department of Transport and Regional Development 1996 – 1998	Succeeded by Himself as Secretary of the Department of Transport and Regional Services
Preceded by Andrew Podger as Secretary of the Department of Housing and Regional Development
Preceded by Lionel Woodward	Secretary of the Department of Veterans' Affairs 1994 – 1996	Succeeded by Neil Johnston
Diplomatic posts
Preceded by Bob Cotton	Australian High Commissioner to New Zealand 2003 – 2006	Succeeded by John Dauth
Academic offices
Preceded by Peter Baume	Chancellor of the Australian National University 2006 – 2009	Succeeded by Kim Beazley