Jim Scully had a decorated career within the public service, and was beloved within his community. Photo: Supplied.
Former public service luminary James (Jim) Scully AO has recently passed away at the age of 97.
Mr Scully was secretary of the Trade Department and its predecessor between 1977 and 1984.
He was previously the secretary of the Minerals and Energy Department, which became the Natural Resources Department during his tenure.
From late 1977, Mr Scully was both secretary of the Trade and Resources Department and head of the Special Trade Representative Department.
He became secretary of the Trade Department when it separated from Resources in 1983.
The current Foreign Affairs and Trade Department secretary Jan Adams issued a statement to staff acknowledging Mr Scully’s passing and outlining highlights of his career.
“Colleagues will be saddened to learn of the passing last week of James (Jim) Scully AO, former Secretary of the Department of Trade,” she said.
“Jim was influential in shaping Australia’s trade policy during a period of significant global trade shifts in the postwar era.”
Mr Scully joined the public service as a clerk in the Trade and Customs Secretary in 1949, which his father William Scully had overseen as a Labor Minister from 1941 to 1946.
“By the early 1960s, Jim was working as a Trade Commissioner, including in Cairo where he worked under Sir Alan Westerman,” Ms Adams wrote.
“In this role, Jim helped introduce containerised shipping to Australia’s trade; an early example of micro economic reform.
“In 1966 he became assistant secretary, Department of Trade and Industry, rising to deputy secretary in 1972.
“Jim worked to expand Australia’s mineral resource and beef trade, implement the government’s uranium policy and improve relations with ASEAN nations.
“In 1975, he was appointed secretary of the Department of Minerals and Energy (later Natural Resources) … Jim was regarded as hardworking, unflappable and pragmatic by his colleagues. He will be missed by all those who knew him.”
As secretary of the Trade Department, Mr Scully led and concluded the negotiation of the Closer Economic Relations Agreement with New Zealand, which is still one of the world’s deepest and most comprehensive economic integration agreements.
He was appointed an Officer in the Order of Australia in January 1984 for his public service, before retiring as secretary of the Trade Department in March that year.
For many years in retirement, Mr Scully continued to advise the Federal Government, as well as consult to business in various roles.
DFAT’s Scully Room in the RG Casey Building is named after Jim Scully, in recognition of his contribution to Australia’s trading partnerships.
Jim is survived by his wife, Norma, and his two sons, Dean and Mark.
Original Article published by Chris Johnson on Region Canberra.
