I welcome the news that the Prime Minister will recommend to the Governor-General that Mr Blair Comley PSM will be appointed as the Secretary for Department of Health and Aged Care.
Mr Comley has a wealth of experience and a record of proven leadership navigating complex issues.
His outstanding record of public service includes being the Secretary of the Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism and the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency between 2011 and 2013. He then led the New South Wales Department of Premier and Cabinet as Secretary between 2014 and 2017.
He will take the reins as Secretary of the Department of Health and Aged Care following Professor Murphy’s retirement.
Australians got to know Professor Murphy throughout the pandemic as he led the Department during its biggest public health response in over 100 years.
I wish Professor Murphy well in his retirement.