Her Majesty the Queen has recognised the skills and commitment of a wide range of Public Service staff members across the nation this Australia Day rewarding them with honours for their outstanding service, achievements, leadership and innovation in serving the people of Australia.
The honours were released on Her Majesty’s behalf by Governor-General, his Excellency General David Hurley, and include among other awards the PS-only honour, the Public Service Medal.
The honoured PS staff on Australia Day 2021 include:
OFFICER OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA (AO)
Malcolm John HAZELL CVO AO
For distinguished service to the Crown, and through a range of advisory and consultancy roles with government and business.
Mr Hazell served as Official Secretary to the Governor-General from 2003 and 2008 and in 2010 was appointed as Extra Equerry to Her Majesty The Queen, one of only two persons outside the United Kingdom to hold the office.
Barry David INGLIS PSM AO
For distinguished service to science and engineering, particularly to metrology, measurement standards and research, and to professional organisations.
Dr Inglis was Director of the National Measurement Laboratory from 1997 to 2004.
Daryl Paul QUINLIVAN AO
For distinguished service to public administration through leadership roles in the areas of agriculture, water and the environment.
Mr Quinlivan was Secretary of the Department of Agriculture from 2015 to 2020 and
Head of Office at the Productivity Commission from 2012 to 2015.
Russell Evan REICHELT AO
For distinguished service to marine conservation, to ecosystem management of the Great Barrier Reef, and to climate change research.
Dr Reichelt was Chairman of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority from 2007 to 2018.
MEMBER OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA (AM)
Genevieve Mary JACOBS AM
F or significant service to the broadcast media, and to the community.
Mrs Jacobs was a radio presenter with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) in Canberra from 2008 to 2017.
Megan MITCHELL AM
For significant service to children, to human rights, and to wellbeing initiatives.
Ms Mitchell was Australia’s inaugural National Children’s Commissioner from 2013 to 2020.
Paul William ROCHE AM
For significant service to epidemiology, and to the international community of Nepal.
Dr Roche was Epidemiologist in the Department of Health and Ageing’s Office of Health Protection from 2001 to 2008.
PUBLIC SERVICE MEDAL (PSM)
Richard Symons BLEWETT PSM
Geoscience Australia
For outstanding public service through advancing the use of geophysical data to attract investment in Australia’s minerals industry
Throughout his more than 30 year public service career, Dr Blewett has demonstrated scientific leadership, supporting the development and growth of exploration investment in the minerals sector.
He has spearheaded the unification of State, Territory and Commonwealth government geoscience agencies under the single banner of ‘Australian Minerals’, ensuring that Australia is a pre-eminent country in attracting mineral exploration investment from the private sector.
He has been integral to the provision of high quality geoscience data, and facilitating genuine targeted exploration, which in turn has reduced the technical risk for private sector exploration.
His expertise, combined with his ability to manage complex projects, has been key to gaining industry support for major mineral exploration initiatives. He has enhanced Australia’s international influence by initiating strategic scientific partnerships for minerals prospectivity mapping.
Dr Blewett has fundamentally changed Australia’s approach to mineral exploration, and through his superior dedication and commitment to the Australian Public Service, and to the wider community, he has contributed to the nation’s long term economic prosperity.
Caroline Ann EDWARDS PSM
Health
For outstanding public service to the development and implementation of health and social policy, and leading the Government’s health response to COVID-19.
Ms Edwards has provided outstanding service to the Australian Government, and has been particularly focused on innovative social policy development to enable program reforms which support the health outcomes and wellbeing of Australians, especially Indigenous Australians.
Recently her superior leadership skills have contributed significantly to the Government’s response to protecting Australians from the COVID-19 pandemic, quickly adapting to changes in the Corona virus landscape. She demonstrated a culture of collaboration, leveraging her strong relationships with her State and Territory counterparts to successfully navigate regulatory challenges and competing health system priorities.
She was integral to enacting changes to legislation, secured funding support for the development and implementation of COVID-19 related programs and policies, and she facilitated research opportunities for potential treatments and vaccines both domestically and internationally. Her ability to mobilise, motivate and lead a team in the delivery of new technology and initiatives, working with range of Commonwealth agencies to fast-track reforms, has been exemplary. She was instrumental in the purchase and deployment of personal protective equipment and the availability of COVID-19 testing. She also led expansion of telehealth services allowing vulnerable Australians continuing access to GP services during the pandemic.
Undertaking leadership responsibilities in strategic policy, health economics, medical research and corporate operations, and in addition to her strong leadership throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, she has played a key role in delivering a five year $131 billion National Health Reform Agreement and a $1.2 billion Seventh Community Pharmacy Agreement. This has ensured the national health system remains stable and Australians have access to services in public hospitals, subsidised medicines and medication management services.
Ms Edwards has provided superior dedication and commitment to the national health sector, to the Australian Public Service, and to the wider community.
Marion Joy HEALY PSM
Agriculture, Water and the Environment
For outstanding public service to policy and regulatory practice including in the areas of food, chemicals and plant biosecurity.
Dr Healy has been at the forefront of decision making and implementation of the Government’s policy on plant biosecurity, protecting Australia from pests and diseases that might arrive on imports.
She has set the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment’s strategic policy direction that requires a delicate balance between the competing drivers of imports and exports, while maintaining and improving market access for Australian commodities.
With a unique combination of science and regulatory experience she has transformed the Biosecurity Plant Division of the Department into a modern regulator. She has played an instrumental role in bringing together State and Territory governments, plant industries and the broader community to develop creative solutions to potential biosecurity threats and to implement prevention, preparedness and response programs.
She has been key to revolutionising the processes which assess the pest and disease risk of prospective imports, dramatically reducing the time required to make these assessments and balancing this with the scientific validity. Their implementation has led to a considerable increase in Australia’s plant based export market.
Dr Healy has provided superior dedication and commitment to national plant biosecurity, to the Australian Public Service, and to the wider community.
Rachel Joy HENRY PSM
Social Services
For outstanding public service to the development and implementation of the National Consumer Protection Framework for Online Wagering.
Ms Henry has been instrumental in the delivery of one of the critical components of the Government’s national online wagering reforms – the National Consumer Protection Framework for Online Wagering (the Framework).
In response to community concerns, and the increased risk of problem gambling for online gamblers, the Framework delivers ten consumer protection measures to support and improve the lives of vulnerable Australians.
Her customer-centric focus, along with her ability to balance the priorities of the Government, the community sector, and the wagering industry, ensured the Framework provides strong, nationally consistent consumer protections that support those experiencing harm from online gambling.
She forged strong relationships with high-level stakeholders, which were key to her effectively managing challenging negotiations over tough policy issues. The flow on effects of the implementation of the Framework include a reduction of the number of people who experience harm through online gambling, leading to improvements for their financial wellbeing, stronger mental health and family relationships.
Ms Henry has demonstrated superior dedication and commitment to the Australian Public Service, and to mental and financial wellbeing of the community.
Doug MARMION PSM
Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies
For outstanding public service through the strengthening of Indigenous language infrastructure.
Dr Marmion has been instrumental in strengthening Australian language infrastructure to support the maintenance and revival of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages.
His commitment has been key to the reawakening of the Ngunnawal language, through close collaboration with the local community to explore and invigorate this endangered language.
Additionally, his work in establishing AUSTLANG (the online database for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages) has been integral to capturing a multitude of information and has led to AUSTLANG becoming the world authoritative standard to identify Indigenous languages.
He has worked closely with Australian Government Ministers, senior APS executives, and the Governor-General, coaching them to embed Ngunnawal acknowledgements into APS protocols.
He has also been key to instigating opportunities for community grounded collaboration between elders and linguistics specialists to capture Indigenous languages which may have been thought lost, or have very few speakers remaining. He was actively involved in supporting the UNESCO International Year of Indigenous Languages, partnering with international counterparts in sharing best practice for the research and capture of Indigenous languages.
Dr Marmion has demonstrated superior dedication and commitment to the preservation of Indigenous languages, to the Australian Public Service, and to the community.
Lisa SCHOFIELD PSM
Industry, Science, Energy and Resources
For outstanding public service in the delivery of the treaty establishing maritime boundaries between Australia and Timor-Leste.
Ms Schofield has been integral to the delivery of the treaty between Australia and the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste relating to the establishment of maritime boundaries in the Timor Sea.
Her considerable negotiating skills were critical to the resolution of key issues pertaining to national boundary changes for Australia, as well as for the significant oil and gas investments in the region. She brokered sensible compromise based on good public policy outcomes.
Navigating a complex political environment, she was deeply involved in steering amendments to over 30 pieces of legislation, spanning eight government portfolios. her drive and determination saw the ratification of the treaty and implementation arrangements complete in time to coincide with the 20 year anniversary of the referendum which led to Timor-Leste’s independence.
Her strong leadership of the whole-of-government negotiations and implementation of the treaty has led to enhanced economic and social outcomes for Timor-Leste, and has provided legal certainty to the maritime boundary between Australia and Timor-Lese.
Ms Schofield has been key to the consolidation of the bilateral relationship between Australia and Timor-Leste and through her efforts has demonstrated superior dedication and commitment to the Australian Public Service, and to the wider community.
Andrew Shaw TODD PSM
Foreign Affairs and Trade
For outstanding public service through the development and implementation of Australian Government policy on consular matters, and the response to offshore crises.
Andrew Todd has had an extensive career in public service, effectively leading the development and implementation of Australian government policy on consular matters and the response to offshore crises.
His professionalism and ability to lead teams during adversity throughout a number of high profile activities has been key to achieving quality outcomes for Australians abroad.
He has created extensive networks within government, and the private sector, both nationally and internationally. This has enabled him to navigate complex multi-border and jurisdictional crises response and he has been vital to overseeing the safe repatriation of Australians from overseas.
He has managed these complexities with compassion and humanity, while working tirelessly to keep families informed of circumstances, and to the care of those who have died or been critically injured.
His ability to work decisively under extreme pressure has been integral during the COVID-19 pandemic, and essential to the repatriation of Australians from overseas. His role in facilitating the integration of AUSMAT health teams, DFAT crisis staff, and QANTAS has resulted in the urgent evacuation of Australians from across the world.
Additionally, his management of international offers of assistance during the Black Summer bushfire crisis resulted in the timely delivery of highly valued bushfire assets for frontline firefighting agencies, and linked Emergency Management Australia with foreign government support at a time of national need.
Mr Todd has demonstrated superior commitment and dedication to the Australian Public Service, particularly to the safe repatriation of Australians overseas.
Paul David WAY PSM
Defence
For outstanding public service through the development of programs which support current, and transitioning, Australian Defence Force members and their families.
Paul Way has an extensive background in the military, and public administration, he currently leads the Defence Community Organisation within the Defence People Group and has been instrumental in changing the way that Defence supports current serving members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and their families, including during their transition from military service to civilian life.
He co-chaired the ADF Transition Taskforce and worked closely on the Prime Minister’s Veterans’ Employment Program initiative, leading to an increasing cohort of personnel successfully transitioning to appropriate employment following their separation from the ADF.
He consistently demonstrates a keen willingness to review and scrutinise accepted processes, and considers issues raised by ADF members and their families whilst developing practical solutions to create a better needs-based transition experience. He has strategically developed productive relationships and navigated complex issues with other agencies, supporting a whole of government approach to the management of ADF member, family and veteran welfare.
He has played a substantial role in improving the flow of information between the ADF and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, overseeing the implementation of reforms to the Transition process.
He is highly respected for his policy development and well considered advice, and he spearheaded the ADF Transition for Employment (T4E) initiative, reforming the way medically transitioning ADF personnel with complex cases are assisted during their move into civilian life.
Mr Way has provided superior dedication and commitment to current serving members and their families, to veterans, to the Australian Public Service, and to the wider community.
Jennifer Elizabeth WILKINSON PSM
Treasury
For outstanding public service in the development of fiscal policy, particularly in the formulation of the Australian Government’s economic response to COVID-19.
Jenny Wilkinson’s expertise as an economist and public policy thinker enabled the Government to deliver one of the country’s largest economic stimulus measures, the Job-Keeper program.
As principle architect of Job-Keeper, she led highly innovative work, collaborating with the best of the Australian Public Service and the private sector to deliver a program designed to provide crucial financial support to over 3.5 million Australians to maintain their employment during the COVID-19 pandemic.
She provided outstanding leadership during a period of unparalleled difficulty, drawing on existing payment delivery infrastructure to expedite the rollout of the scheme, and provide timely support for businesses and jobs.
As Head of the Parliamentary Budget Office she provided high quality costing advice and fiscal analysis to Parliamentarians, setting benchmarks in terms of integrity, accountability and transparency.
She also consistently delivers high-level, complex advice on a wide range of matters, including fiscal and budget policy. She is a trusted adviser and has been essential in assisting the Government with the implementation of its fiscal strategy through her contribution to key economic policy decisions.
Ms Wilkinson’s expert contribution has been critical to the Government’s economic response during the COVID-19 pandemic.
