Geoff Miller (public servant)

Geoffrey Lee Miller AO (26 January 1942 – 10 October 2014) was a senior Australian public servant.

This article is about Geoff Miller the former Australian Secretary of the Department of Primary Industry. He is not to be confused with Geoff Miller (diplomat).

Geoff Miller AO
Secretary of the Department of Primary Industry
In office 1986–1987
Secretary of the Department of Primary Industries and Energy
In office 1988–1993
Secretary of the Department of Tourism
In office 27 December 1991 – 1993
Personal details
Born	Geoffrey Lee Miller 26 January 1942 Grafton, New South Wales
Died	10 October 2014(2014-10-10) (aged 72)
Nationality	Australian
Alma mater	University of New England
Occupation	Public servant

Life and career

Geoff Miller was born in Grafton, New South Wales on 26 January 1942.[1] For high school, he attended Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School in Tamworth, New South Wales.[2] His university studies were at the University of New England where he completed a degree in agricultural economics with first class honours.[1]

He began his career in a state agricultural department, before shifting to work for CSR Limited.[3]

In 1986, Miller was appointed Secretary of the Department of Primary Industry.[4][5] In July 1987 he became Associate Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade,[1] but was again appointed as a Secretary in 1988, this time of the Department of Primary Industries and Energy.[6] During the period December 1991 to June 1993, Miller was concurrently Secretary to the Department of Primary Industries and Energy and the Department of Tourism.[7][8]

As an associate secretary of the Department of Primary Industries and Energy, Miller bid for the position of Director-General of the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organisation.[9] He was defeated in a ballot for the position by 90 votes to 72 votes.[10] The Australian Government spent more than $500,000 on the unsuccessful campaign to have Miller appointed to the position.[11] Miller retired from the public service in February 1994.[12]

Miller died on 10 October 2014.[13]

Awards

Miller was awarded Man of the Year in Australian Agriculture in 1978.[1]

In June 1993, Miller was made an Officer of the Order of Australia for service to primary industry, particularly in the area of agricultural economics and to international relations.[14]

References

1. "2004 AARES Distinguished Fellow: Geoffrey Lee Miller", Australian Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, 48 (3): 389–390, 1 September 2004, doi:10.1111/j.1467-8489.2004.00252.x
2. Suzannah Pearce, ed. (17 November 2006). "MILLER (Geoff) Geoffrey Lee". Who's Who in Australia Live!. North Melbourne, Vic: Crown Content Pty Ltd.
3. Iffland, Katrina (11 October 1992). "Australian a candidate for top UN job". The Canberra Times. ACT. p. 2.
4. Hawke, Robert (10 February 1986). "UNKNOWN" (Press release). Archived from the original on 1 November 2013.
5. CA 1960: Department of Primary Industry [II], Central Office, National Archives of Australia, retrieved 30 January 2014
6. CA 5990: Department of Primary Industries and Energy, Central Office, National Archives of Australia, retrieved 30 January 2014
7. CA 7432: Department of Tourism, Central Office, National Archives of Australia, retrieved 30 January 2014
8. "Miller appointed". The Canberra Times. ACT. 7 July 1992. p. 5.
9. Burgess, Verona (30 March 1993). "International food aid - a 'fair dinkum mission'". The Canberra Times. ACT. p. 3.
10. "Miller misses out on top job with FAO". The Canberra Times. ACT. 10 November 1993. p. 3.
11. "Miller-for-FAO campaign cost $735,000". The Canberra Times. ACT. 11 January 1994. p. 15.
12. "Ex-FAO nominee retires". The Canberra Times. ACT. 22 January 1994. p. 2.
13. GEOFFREY LEE "GEOFF" MILLER: Obituary, Fairfax Media
14. Search Australian Honours: MILLER, Geoffrey Lee, Australian Government

Government offices
Preceded by Lindsay Duthie	Secretary of the Department of Primary Industry 1986 – 1987	Succeeded by Graham Evans as Secretary of the Department of Primary Industries and Energy
Preceded by Graham Evans	Secretary of the Department of Primary Industries and Energy 1988 – 1993	Succeeded by Greg Taylor
Preceded by Tony Blunn as Secretary of the Department of the Arts, Sport, the Environment, Tourism and Territories	Secretary of the Department of Tourism 1991 – 1993	Succeeded by Helen Williams