The Federal Government has reappointed three heads of Commonwealth Government Departments.
Departmental Secretaries are the administrative heads of government departments, responsible for the implementation of government policy and for the provision of advice to the government. Once tenured, they now serve on contracts, usually of 3 or 5 years duration.
This is the text of a media release by the Prime Minister, John Howard:
APPOINTMENT OF DEPARTMENTAL SECRETARIES
I am pleased to announce the re-appointment of three Secretaries of Commonwealth Departments.
Early in 2003 the current appointments of Mr Ken Matthews as Secretary of the Department of Transport and Regional Services, Mr Bill Farmer as Secretary of the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs and Dr Ashton Calvert as Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will expire.
Having received reports from the Secretary of my Department, as required by legislation, I have re-appointed Mr Matthews and Mr Farmer to their current offices for terms of five years from 5 February 2003. Dr Calvert will continue in his office for a term of three years from 10 April 2003.
I express my continuing appreciation for the contribution of all three Secretaries.
