Michael Thawley
{{Short description|Senior Australian public servant}}
{{Use Australian English|date=October 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2014}}
{{Infobox officeholder
|honorific-prefix =
|name = Michael Thawley
|honorific-suffix = AO
|image = Amb Michael Thawley.jpg
|imagesize =
|alt =
|caption =
|order =
|office1 = Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
|term_start1 = 1 December 2014
|term_end1 = 23 January 2016
|office2 = 18th Ambassador of Australia to
the United States
|term_start2 = February 2000
|term_end2 = May 2005
|predecessor2 = Andrew Peacock
|successor2 = Dennis Richardson
|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1950|04|16|df=y}}
|birth_place = London, England
|death_date =
|death_place =
|restingplace =
|restingplacecoordinates =
|birthname = Michael Joseph Thawley
|nationality = Australian
|party =Liberal Party
|alma_mater = Australian National University
|occupation = Public servant, Diplomat
}}
Michael Joseph Thawley, {{postnominals|country=AUS|size=100%|AO}} (born 16 April 1950)Richard McGregor, "Washington-bound", Weekend Australian, 11–12 December 1999, p. 24 is a former senior Australian public servant. From December 2014 to January 2016 he was Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. He has served as Chancellor of Torrens University Australia since February 2025.
Life and career
Thawley was born in London in 1950, the son of an Anglican clergyman, raised in Queensland, and educated at Geelong Grammar School and then at the Australian National University.{{cite press release|url=http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/1999/fa133_99.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140212023842/http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/1999/fa133_99.html|archivedate=12 February 2014|first=Alexander|last=Downer|date=5 December 1999|author-link=Alexander Downer|title=Diplomatic Appointment: Ambassador to the United States of America}}{{cite news|url=http://www.canberratimes.com.au/comment/yet-more-variety-at-prime-minister-and-cabinet-20141120-11kvpu.html|newspaper=The Canberra Times|first=J.R.|last=Nethercote|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150126002129/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/comment/yet-more-variety-at-prime-minister-and-cabinet-20141120-11kvpu.html|archivedate=26 January 2015|date=21 November 2014|title=Yet more variety at Prime Minister and Cabinet|publisher=Fairfax Media}} He joined the Department of Foreign Affairs in 1972.{{cite web|url=http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/1999/fa133_99.html|title=MEDIA RELEASE|publisher=Australian Foreign Minister|accessdate=7 July 2014}} There he held various posts including Head of the Papua New Guinea and New Zealand bureaus; Head of Current Intelligence at the Office of National Assessments; Minister at the Australian Embassy, Tokyo; Head of the International Division of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. He was the International Advisor to Prime Minister John Howard, between 1996 and 1999.{{citation|url=https://www.dpmc.gov.au/pmc/about-pmc/secretary|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150126004526/https://www.dpmc.gov.au/pmc/about-pmc/secretary|archivedate=26 January 2015|publisher=Australian Government|author=Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet|title=The Secretary}}
From 2000 to 2005, Michael Thawley was Australian Ambassador to the United States of America.{{citation|url=http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2005/s1360116.htm|title=Michael Thawley on Australia's relationship with the US |work=Lateline |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|date=4 May 2005|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150126004331/http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2005/s1360116.htm|archivedate=26 January 2015}} While Thawley was in the role, the Australia–United States Free Trade Agreement was established, ensuring greater access to the US market for Australian products.{{cite news|url=http://www.canberratimes.com.au/national/public-service/michael-thawley-take-over-sends-shudders-through-public-service-20141030-11ehku.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141120012242/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/national/public-service/michael-thawley-take-over-sends-shudders-through-public-service-20141030-11ehku.html|archivedate=20 November 2014|title=Michael Thawley take over sends shudders through public service|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|publisher=Fairfax Media|first1=Mark|last1=Kenny|first2=Phillip|last2=Thomson|date=30 October 2014}} When he left the post, US President George Bush hosted a farewell reception for him in the Oval Office, and dignitaries including US Vice President Dick Cheney, US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice attended.{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/in-depth/a-former-envoy-under-siege/2006/02/03/1138958903737.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150126005344/http://www.theage.com.au/news/in-depth/a-former-envoy-under-siege/2006/02/03/1138958903737.html?page=fullpage |archivedate=26 January 2015 |title=A former envoy under siege |first=Michael|last=Gawenda |date=4 February 2006 |newspaper=The Age |publisher=Fairfax Media}}
He was a Senior Vice President and International Advisor at Capital Strategy Research Inc.{{when|date=January 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://ussc.edu.au/people/michael-thawley|title=Michael Thawley, AO|publisher=United States Study Centre, University of Sydney|accessdate=7 July 2014}} He was also a board member of the Lowy Institute for International Policy.{{when|date=January 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.lowyinstitute.org/people/mr-michael-thawley-ao|title=Mr Michael Thawley AO|publisher=Lowy Institute for International Policy|accessdate=7 July 2014}}
In October 2014, Prime Minister Tony Abbott announced Thawley had been appointed Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, commencing 1 December 2014.{{cite press release|url=https://www.pm.gov.au/media/2014-10-30/secretary-department-prime-minister-and-cabinet|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150126002847/https://www.pm.gov.au/media/2014-10-30/secretary-department-prime-minister-and-cabinet|archivedate=26 January 2015|title=Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet|first=Tony|last=Abbott|author-link=Tony Abbott|publisher=Australian Government|date=20 October 2014}}{{cite news|url=http://www.themandarin.com.au/8642-thawley-returning-pmc-get-things-done/?pgnc=1|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150125024429/http://www.themandarin.com.au/8642-thawley-returning-pmc-get-things-done/?pgnc=1|archivedate=25 January 2015|title=Thawley returning for PM&C post to 'get good things done'|first=Tom|last=Burton|date=31 October 2014|publisher=The Mandarin}}{{cite news|title=Michael Thawley appointed new PM&C secretary as Ian Watt resigns|first=Phillip|last=Thomson|url=http://www.smh.com.au/national/public-service/michael-thawley-appointed-new-pmc-secretary-as-ian-watt-resigns-20141030-11e9at.html|date=30 October 2014|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|publisher=Fairfax Media|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141031074007/http://www.smh.com.au/national/public-service/michael-thawley-appointed-new-pmc-secretary-as-ian-watt-resigns-20141030-11e9at.html|archivedate=31 October 2014}}{{cite news|newspaper=The Australian|date=31 October 2014| url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/washington-dc-to-pmc-tony-abbotts-new-capital-guy-michael-thawley/story-fn59niix-1227107787443| first=Dennis| last=Shanahan |title=Washington, DC to PM&C: Tony Abbott's new capital guy Michael Thawley |publisher=News Ltd}}{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/national/public-service/michael-thawley-take-over-sends-shudders-through-public-service-20141030-11ehku.html |title=Michael Thawley take over sends shudders through public service |first1=Mark |last1=Kenny |first2=Phillip |last2=Thomson |newspaper=The Age |publisher=Fairfax Media |archivedate=31 October 2014| date=30 October 2014 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141031074555/http://www.theage.com.au/national/public-service/michael-thawley-take-over-sends-shudders-through-public-service-20141030-11ehku.html}} According to media, his brief entering into the role was to concentrate on the Australian Government's economic agenda,{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/anxious-abbott-government-hoping-it-will-be-thawley-to-the-rescue-20141130-11x6u6.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141130233637/http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/anxious-abbott-government-hoping-it-will-be-thawley-to-the-rescue-20141130-11x6u6.html|archivedate=30 November 2014|date=1 December 2014|title=Anxious Abbott government hoping it will be Thawley to the rescue|first1=Peter|last1=Hartcher|first2=Latika|last2=Bourke|author-link2=Latika Bourke|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|publisher=Fairfax Media}}{{cite news|url=http://www.skynews.com.au/news/top-stories/2014/12/01/abbott-concedes-pressures-on-budget.html|agency=AAP|title=Abbott concedes pressures on budget|publisher=Sky News|date=1 December 2014|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150126010112/http://www.skynews.com.au/news/top-stories/2014/12/01/abbott-concedes-pressures-on-budget.html|archivedate=26 January 2015}} and to give more structure and form to coordinate the budgetary implications, across all Australian Government departments, of Coalition Government promises and what the Labor Party blocks in Parliament.{{cite news|url=https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/opinion/topic/2014/12/06/abbott-through-the-looking-glass/14177844001326#.VMWQZa0cQy8|archivedate=26 January 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150126005742/https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/opinion/topic/2014/12/06/abbott-through-the-looking-glass/14177844001326|publisher=Schwartz Media|newspaper=The Saturday Newspaper|first=Paul|last=Bongiorno|author-link=Paul Bongiorno|title=Abbott through the looking-glass|date=6 December 2014}} It was also noted that he could "bring fresh energy to the urgent task of rebuilding relationships between the public service and the political branch."{{cite news|url=http://www.canberratimes.com.au/national/public-service/michael-thawley-the-delicate-dance-awaiting-prime-minister-and-cabinets-new-secretary-20141201-11u8np.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150126004138/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/national/public-service/michael-thawley-the-delicate-dance-awaiting-prime-minister-and-cabinets-new-secretary-20141201-11u8np.html|archivedate=26 January 2015|title=Michael Thawley: the delicate dance awaiting Prime Minister and Cabinet's new secretary|date=2 December 2014|first=Richard|last=Mulgan|newspaper=The Canberra Times|publisher=Fairfax Media}} He announced on 24 November 2015 that he would be standing down from the position in January 2016.{{cite news|url=http://www.canberratimes.com.au/national/public-service/dfat-secretary-peter-varghese-to-resign-next-year-20151124-gl6c0t.html|newspaper=The Canberra Times|publisher=Fairfax Media|date=24 November 2015|title=PM and C secretary Michael Thawley resigns in public service shake up|first=Henry|last=Belot|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151124095528/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/national/public-service/dfat-secretary-peter-varghese-to-resign-next-year-20151124-gl6c0t.html|archivedate=24 November 2015}}
Thawley was appointed Chancellor of Torrens University Australia in February 2025.{{Cite web |date=2025-02-24 |title=Torrens University appoints Michael Thawley AO as Chancellor |url=https://www.torrens.edu.au/stories/newsroom/university-news/torrens-university-appoints-michael-thawley-ao-as-chancellor |access-date=2025-04-18 |website=Torrens University Australia |language=en}}
Thawley married Deborah Wilkins, an ANU prize winner in French in 1969,ANU Annual Report 1969, p. 25 in 1970. They have three sons, one of whom is The Hon Justice Thomas Thawley,Bar News - The Journal of the New South Wales Bar Association, March 2018, p. 88 and five grandchildren.
Awards and honours
Thawley was awarded a Centenary Medal in January 2001 for a significant contribution over many years to international relations.{{citation|url=https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/1116684|archivedate=26 January 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150126004911/http://www.itsanhonour.gov.au/honours/honour_roll/search.cfm?aus_award_id=1116684&search_type=quick&showInd=true|title=Search Australian Honours: THAWLEY, Michael Joseph, Centenary Medal|publisher=Australian Government|work=itsanhonour.gov.au}} In June 2006 he was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia.{{citation|url=https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/1132842|archivedate=1 February 2021|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210201075333/https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/1132842|title=Search Australian Honours: THAWLEY, Michael Joseph, Officer of the Order of Australia|publisher=Australian Government|work=itsanhonour.gov.au}}
External links
- {{C-SPAN}}
References
{{reflist|30em}}
{{s-start}}
{{s-dip}}
{{s-bef|before=Andrew Peacock}}
{{s-ttl|title=Australian Ambassador to the United States |years=2000–2005}}
{{s-aft|after=Dennis Richardson }}
{{s-gov}}
{{s-bef|before=Ian Watt}}
{{s-ttl|title=Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet|years=2014–2016}}
{{s-aft|after=Martin Parkinson}}
{{s-end}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Thawley, Michael}}
Category:Ambassadors of Australia to the United States
Category:Officers of the Order of Australia
Category:Australian National University alumni