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The Australian government has farewelled Secretary to the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet Professor Glyn Davis AC.
Davis, the 22nd Secretary to the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, had previously advised government leadership of his intention to resign from 16 June this year.
Davis was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia in 2002 for service to public administration and governance and to education.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed the exit of Davis in a public statement published on 9 May.
“I thank Professor Davis for his outstanding contribution as secretary. One of the key priorities of our government’s first term was rebuilding the capacity of the Australian Public Service,” he said.
“This included rebuilding the confidence of people who worked in the APS, making sure they understood that the government valued their ideas, respected their hard work and recognised their vital role in our democracy.
“Professor Davis was instrumental in driving this change. He worked calmly and steadily to reassert the purpose of the public service, and I thank him on behalf of the government, the Australian Public Service, and the Australian people.
“Professor Davis is a man of unique strengths: an intellectual who embraces the practical, an institutionalist who champions reform.
“To his enduring credit, he leaves a great national institution in far better shape than he found it, to the benefit of all Australians.
“I want to offer my personal thanks for his friendship, advice and support over the past three years. I’m sure he will continue to make a significant contribution to public life.
“Professor Davis goes with my gratitude, respect and very best wishes to him, Margaret and his family.”
The Prime Minister confirmed that an announcement regarding the appointment of the next secretary of the Prime Minister and Cabinet would be made in appropriate time.
Davis previously served as vice-chancellor and principal of the University of Melbourne as well as vice-chancellor of Griffith University in Queensland. He also served as a distinguished professor of political science in the Crawford School of Public Policy at the Australian National University.
