Laurie Daniels Explained

Laurie Daniels
Office1:Secretary of the Department of Social Security
Term Start1:27 July 1973
Term End1:19 August 1977
Office2:Secretary of the Department of the Capital Territory
Term Start2:19 August 1977
Term End2:10 August 1981
Birth Name:Lawrence John Daniels
Birth Date:11 August 1916
Birth Place:Adelaide
Death Date:16 September 1994 (aged 78)
Occupation:Public servant
Nationality: Australian
Spouse:Joyce
Children:Eight daughters and two sons

Lawrence John Daniels (11 August 1916 – 16 September 1994) was a senior Australian public servant and policymaker.

Life and career

Laurie Daniels was born in Adelaide on 11 August 1916.[1] He left school, for Sydney, at the age of 17 and won an Australian Public Service job at the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). Daniels moved to Canberra in 1946 with the ATO.

In 1973, Daniels was appointed Secretary of the Department of Social Security,[2] where he stayed until 1977. In 1977 he became Secretary of the Department of the Capital Territory, serving a five-year term.

At the end of his Department of Capital Territory appointment, Daniels retired, having served 47 years in the public service.[3]

Daniels died of cancer on 16 September 1994.[4]

Awards and honours

Daniels was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 1972. In 1979 he was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath.

In 2009, the Australian Catholic University established the Laurie Daniels Scholarship to commemorate Daniels' life and his contribution to the University, particularly as a founding member of the University Senate.

Notes and References

  1. News: Mr Laurie Daniels. 35 years' involvement in Canberra's development. Frank. Longhurst. 10 August 1981. 2. The Canberra Times.
  2. Senior Government Appointments. https://web.archive.org/web/20140331044005/http://pmtranscripts.dpmc.gov.au/browse.php?did=4473. 31 March 2014. 19 August 1977. Malcolm. Fraser. Malcolm Fraser.
  3. News: Mr Laurie Daniels: 35 years' involvement in Canberra's development. Frank. Longhurst. 10 August 1981. The Canberra Times. 2.
  4. News: Obituary: Laurie Daniels CB OBE – A top adviser with the common touch. Jack. Waterford. Jack Waterford. 22 September 1994. The Canberra Times. 8.