Ken Matthews (public servant)

Ken Harry Matthews AO is a retired senior Australian public servant.

Ken Matthews AO
Secretary of the Department of Primary Industries and Energy
In office 1998–1998
Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
In office 1998–1999
Secretary of the Department of Transport and Regional Services
In office 1999–2004
Personal details
Born	Ken Harry Matthews
Nationality	Australian
Spouse(s)	Margaret
Alma mater	University of Sydney
Occupation	Public servant
Website	http://www.kenmatthews.com.au/

Early life and background

Ken Matthews grew up on a farm near Griffith, New South Wales.[1] He attended Griffith High School.[2]

Matthews graduated from University of Sydney in 1974 with a Bachelor of Economics, majoring in government.[3]

Career

Ken Matthews joined the Australian Public Service in 1975, in the Department of Defence.[4]

In 1998 Matthews was appointed Secretary of the Department of Primary Industries and Energy (later Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry).

In 1999 Matthews shifted to head the Department of Transport and Regional Services.[5] Matthews headed the Department at the time of the September 11 attacks on the United States and during implementation of early stages of the Howard Government counter-terrorism strategies.[4]

In 2004, Matthews indicated to Prime Minister John Howard his keen interest in water reform and was appointed the first Chief Executive Officer and Chair of the National Water Commission, to be established in the Prime Minister's portfolio.[6] Matthews retired as Chair and Chief Executive of the National Water Commission in October 2010.[7] In his valedictory speech, he told his audience he wanted public servants to be bolder.[4][8][9][10]

Matthews created controversy in 2007 when a leaked e-mail concerning a federal proposal to tax rainwater revealed Matthews (as chief of the National Water Commission) writing: "if rainwater tanks were to be adopted on a large scale such that their existence impacts significantly on the integrated water cycle, consideration could be given to setting an entitlement regime for this class of water" and "legally, all water in Australia is vested in governments." The Bracks government at the time stated it was opposed to taxes on rainwater.[11]

Awards

In January 2005, Matthews was made an Officer of the Order of Australia for service to the community through the development of more competitive and sustainable regional industries and services, to the national transport system, and to promoting the highest standards of public administration.[12] Matthews had previously received a Centenary Medal in 2001 for services to public administration.[13]

Flinders University presented Matthews with an honorary doctorate in April 2014.[14]

References

1. Advisory Board, Institute for Land, Water and Society Charles Sturt University, February 2010, archived from the original on 17 April 2012
2. Ken Matthews AO, LinkedIn, archived from the original on 4 February 2014, retrieved 4 February 2014
3. Biography, archived from the original on 1 February 2014
4. Matthews, Ken (6 October 2010), There's a telegram for you (PDF), archived from the original (PDF) on 1 February 2014
5. Howard, John (26 October 1999). "New Secretary to the Department of Transport and Regional Services" (Press release). Archived from the original on 4 February 2014.
6. Howard, John (22 October 2004). "Appointment of Secretaries" (Press release). Archived from the original on 19 December 2013.
7. Ken Matthews, Aither, archived from the original on 1 February 2014
8. Griffiths, John (7 October 2010), Retiring Ken Matthews wants public servants to be bolder, archived from the original on 24 May 2013
9. Mannheim, Markus (7 October 2010). "PS taken to task for being too timid". The Canberra Times. Fairfax Media. Archived from the original on 8 October 2010.
10. Matthews, Ken (2012), "Chapter 14: There's a telegram for you – fashioning Australia's unique model of public administration", in Wanna, John; Vincent, Sam; Podger, Andrew Stuart (eds.), With the benefit of hindsight: Valedictory Reflections from Departmental Secretaries, 2004-11 (PDF), Australian National University, pp. 135–147, archived from the original (PDF) on 1 February 2014
11. http://www.news.com.au/national/outcry-over-tax-on-rain/story-e6frfkp9-1111112828043
12. Search Australian Honours: MATTHEWS, Ken Harry, Australian Government
13. Mr Ken Matthews AO, Australian Bureau of Statistics, 16 July 2008, archived from the original on 1 February 2014
14. "Graduation for 1600 and honours for inspiring achievers" (Press release). Flinders University. 15 April 2014.

Government offices
Preceded by Paul Barratt	Secretary of the Department of Primary Industries and Energy 1998	Succeeded by Himself as Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
		Succeeded by Russell Higgins as Secretary of the Department of Industry, Science and Resources
Preceded by Himself as Secretary of the Department of Primary Industries and Energy	Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry 1998 – 1999	Succeeded by Mike Taylor
Preceded by Allan Hawke	Secretary of the Department of Transport and Regional Services 1999 – 2004	Succeeded by Mike Taylor