The Department Secretaries:A Profile of a Changing Profession

In: Australian journal of public administration, Band 58, Heft 2, S. 21-32

Abstract

The position of departmental secretaries has been under debate. There are claims they have been politicised; they have been placed on term appointments. This article examines the careers of departmental secretaries for the last 50 years. It illustrates the changes in their length of tenure, age of departure, mobility and qualifications. The recent profile shows the need for debate about the position and the future of departmental secretaries.