Please join us for a valedictory address by Andrew Metcalfe AO, retiring Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. Secretary Metcalfe will reflect on his more than four decades working in Australian public administration and public policy, particularly in the areas of Immigration and citizenship, national security, agriculture, environment and biosecurity.

He will draw on the personal experiences he gained through many issues, including the arrival of and the response to the MV Tampa, Australia’s security preparedness following the September 11 attacks and the Bali bombings, the response to the Cornelia Rau and Vivian Solon scandals, the development of the Malaysia strategy in relation to asylum seekers, the response to foot and mouth disease reaching Indonesia; and through several transitions of ministers and governments.

Andrew will focus on the lessons he has learnt in working with many committed and distinguished public servants over many years, the positive benefits of departments, governments and stakeholders developing a shared purpose in addressing challenges, and the power of positive workplace culture.