GOVERNOR-GENERAL WELCOMES NEW OFFICIAL SECRETARY

8 September 2008

The Governor-General, Ms Quentin Bryce AC, has welcomed Mr Stephen Brady to Government House as Official Secretary.

Mr Brady’s appointment began on Friday, September the 5th, and his first official function was the swearing-in of Ms Bryce as Australia’s 25th Governor-General.

The Official Secretary and his staff provide the Governor-General with the necessary support to enable her to carry out the constitutional, statutory, ceremonial and public duties of the office.

Mr Brady has come to Government House from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, where he was Chief of Protocol. He has held senior diplomatic appointments as Australia’s Ambassador to the Netherlands and the Permanent Representative of Australia to the Organisation for the prohibition of Chemical Weapons, as well as Ambassador to Sweden with non-resident accreditation as Ambassador to Denmark, Norway, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Iceland. On two occasions, Mr Brady was seconded from DFAT to Prime Minister Howard’s Office as Senior Adviser (Government).

For nearly five years, Mr Brady served as the Director of Australia’s official high level visits program within the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, supervising all official visits to Australia by Heads of State and Heads of Government, as well as being responsible for the Prime Minister’s official overseas visits.

Mr Brady’s appointment follows the announcement that Mr Malcolm Hazell CVO would leave the office of Official Secretary after five years’ service.

Ms Bryce said: “Mr Hazell has led the office with considerable distinction, and I’m sure all Australians would join me in recording our appreciation for his dedication and professionalism”.

“I look forward to working with Mr Brady in advancing the interests, concerns and achievements of Australians all over the country”.


Media contact
Niree Creed
Government House
02 6283 3519