Geoff Miller (public servant) explained

Geoff Miller
Office1:Secretary of the Department of Primary Industry
Term Start1:1986
Term End1:1987
Term Start2:1988
Term End2:1993
Office3:Secretary of the Department of Tourism
Term Start3:27 December 1991
Term End3:1993
Birth Name:Geoffrey Lee Miller
Birth Date:26 January 1942
Birth Place:Grafton, New South Wales
Occupation:Public servant
Nationality: Australian
Alma Mater:University of New England

Geoffrey Lee Miller (26 January 194210 October 2014) was a senior Australian public servant.

Life and career

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

He began his career in a state agricultural department, before shifting to work for CSR Limited.[2]

In 1986, Miller was appointed Secretary of the Department of Primary Industry.[3] In July 1987 he became Associate Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, but was again appointed as a Secretary in 1988, this time of the Department of Primary Industries and Energy. 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.[4]

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.[5] He was defeated in a ballot for the position by 90 votes to 72 votes.[6] The Australian Government spent more than $500,000 on the unsuccessful campaign to have Miller appointed to the position.[7] Miller retired from the public service in February 1994.[8]

Miller died on 10 October 2014.

Awards

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

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.

Notes and References

  1. Encyclopedia: Suzannah Pearce. Who's Who in Australia Live!. MILLER (Geoff) Geoffrey Lee. 17 November 2006. Crown Content Pty Ltd. North Melbourne, Vic.
  2. News: Australian a candidate for top UN job. 11 October 1992. The Canberra Times. 2. ACT. Katrina. Iffland.
  3. Untitled. 1 November 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131101030222/http://pmtranscripts.dpmc.gov.au/browse.php?did=6835. Robert. Hawke. Bob Hawke. 10 February 1986.
  4. News: Miller appointed. 7 July 1992. 5. The Canberra Times. ACT.
  5. News: International food aid - a 'fair dinkum mission'. Verona. Burgess. Verona Burgess. 30 March 1993. 3. The Canberra Times. ACT.
  6. News: Miller misses out on top job with FAO. 10 November 1993. 3. The Canberra Times. ACT.
  7. News: Miller-for-FAO campaign cost $735,000. 11 January 1994. 15. ACT. The Canberra Times.
  8. News: Ex-FAO nominee retires. 22 January 1994. 2. The Canberra Times. ACT.