Frank Murphy (public servant)

James Francis "Frank" Murphy CMG (12 March 1893 – 18 January 1949) was a senior Australian public servant, best known for his role as Secretary of the Department of Commerce (later Department of Commerce and Agriculture) in the 1930s and 1940s.

Frank Murphy CMG
Secretary of the Department of Commerce
In office 17 December 1934 – 21 Dec 1942
Secretary of the Department of Transport
In office 1 July 1941 – 31 October 1943
Secretary of the Department of Commerce and Agriculture
In office 22 December 1942 – 20 November 1945
Personal details
Born	James Francis Murphy (1893-03-12)12 March 1893 Carlton, Melbourne, Victoria
Died	18 January 1949(1949-01-18) (aged 55) Balwyn, Melbourne, Victoria
Resting place	Melbourne general cemetery
Nationality	Australian
Occupation	Public servant

Life and career

Frank Murphy was born in Carlton, Melbourne on 12 March 1893.[1] In 1910, he joined the Commonwealth Public Service in the Department of External Affairs.[1]

In 1933, Murphy was appointed as Assistant Secretary to the Department of Commerce—his promotion at the time was challenged by several other public servants who believed that they should win the role on the grounds that they had served for longer.[2]

From December 1934 when he was appointed to the position,[3] until December 1942 when the Department was abolished, Murphy was Secretary of the Department of Commerce.[4] He was then appointed Secretary of the Department of Commerce and Agriculture, between 1942 and 1945.[5]

Between 1941 and 1943, Murphy was also Secretary of the Department of Transport. In the role he did not participate in the detailed work of the department as his focus was on the commerce department.[6]

Murphy died on 18 January 1949 in Balwyn, Melbourne.[1]

Awards

In May 1937, Murphy was appointed a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George, for his service as Secretary of the Department of Commerce.[7]

References

1. Swift, Robert S., "Murphy, James Francis (1893–1949)", Australian Dictionary of Biography, archived from the original on 21 February 2015
2. "Assistant Secretary Stakes". Townsville Daily Bulletin. 10 February 1933. p. 5.
3. "Commerce Department Changes: New Secretary Appointed". Advocate. Burnie, Tasmania. 17 December 1934. p. 2.
4. CA 28: Department of Commerce, Central Office, National Archives of Australia, retrieved 21 February 2015
5. CA 48: Department of Commerce and Agriculture, Central Office, National Archives of Australia, retrieved 21 February 2015
6. CA 44: Department of Transport [II], Central Office, National Archives of Australia, retrieved 22 January 2016
7. "Search Australian Honours:MURPHY, James Francis, The Order of St Michael and St George - Companion", itsanhonour.gov.au, Australian Government, archived from the original on 21 February 2015

Government offices
Preceded by Edward Joseph Mulvany	Secretary of the Department of Commerce 1934 – 1942	Succeeded by Himself as Secretary of the Department of Commerce and Agriculture
Preceded by Joseph Carrodus as Secretary of the Department of the Interior	Secretary of the Department of Transport 1941 – 1943	Succeeded by Richard John Murphy
Preceded by Himself as Secretary of the Department of Commerce
Preceded by Himself as Secretary of the Department of Commerce	Secretary of the Department of Commerce and Agriculture 1942 – 1945	Succeeded by Edwin McCarthy