Dr Allan Hawke AC has been appointed Chair of the Board of the Southern NSW Local Health District.

Dr Hawke is a former High Commissioner to New Zealand and Chancellor of the Australian National University.

He spent more than three decades in the Commonwealth Public Service, rising to the rank of Deputy Secretary of the Departments of Defence and Prime Minister and Cabinet, then Secretary of Defence, Veterans’ Affairs, Transport and Regional Services.

“I am very pleased that Dr Hawke has agreed to take up this important role,” Minister for Health Brad Hazzard said. “He brings a wealth of relevant experience, and most significantly, he is a local lad who was born in Queanbeyan, went to school in Queanbeyan, before earning a Bachelor of Science and a PhD at ANU.

“Dr Hawke’s appointment demonstrates that we have listened to the Southern NSW community,” Mr Hazzard said. Dr Hawke’s impressive record in public administration, along with his local knowledge, made him the obvious choice to steer SNSWLHD’s Board in a new direction which will prioritise community involvement and listening to community concerns.

As well as leading 21 major independent reviews for the Federal, ACT, NSW, Northern Territory and Victorian governments, Dr Hawke is Chairman of the Canberra Raiders, a director of Datacom and Lockheed Martin Australia, President of ACT Barnados and a Member of the CEDA (Committee for Economic Development Australia) Board of Governors.

Dr Hawke’s appointment follows the conclusion of Jenny Symon’s four years in the role.

Mr Hazzard said Chief Executive Janet Compton is also leaving her role at Southern NSW Local Health District. Julie Mooney will be acting Chief Executive, effective today. Recruitment will begin immediately to appoint a new chief executive.

“There have obviously been some challenges in the local health area and these changes will provide a clean slate to move forward and rewrite community involvement in the Local Health District, “ Mr Hazzard said.