Michael Thawley

Michael Thawley entered public service in 1972, working in Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Office of National Assessments, with postings in Rome, Moscow, and Tokyo. He headed the international division of the prime minister's department under Paul Keating and advised John Howard on international affairs from 1996 to 1999. ¹

As ambassador in Washington from 2000 to 2005, Thawley helped secure the Australia–United States Free Trade Agreement. He also worked on American legislation providing visas for Australian professionals. ^{1, 2}

Thawley joined the investment management group Capital Group after his posting. In 2014, the government appointed him secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. ^{1, 2}