From the Conversation comes news that Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has chosen Jim Murphy, Deputy Secretary of the Australian Treasury and head of Markets Group, to be his new chief of staff:
Rudd worked with Murphy, a deputy secretary whose job will concentrate on policy development and economic advice, during the global financial crisis.
The appointment of Murphy is in part an effort to reassure the business community, with whom he will liaise. Restoring better relations with business is one of Rudd’s priorities.
In Treasury Murphy has been executive director of the markets group, which oversees issues relating to financial systems, foreign investment, infrastructure, and corporations and capital markets.
Let me say that I believe this to be an excellent appointment. Between 2004 and 2006 I worked in the Treasury’s Prudential Policy: Banking Unit, where I (along with others) provided the Secretariat for the Financial Sector Advisory Council (FSAC): the Treasurer’s peak financial sector advisory body comprising representatives from within industry. Jim Murphy was the secretary for FSAC and we worked closely for two years. Over that time period, I found Murphy to be a highly intelligent, no-nonsense individual with the highest integrity. In short, I can’t speak highly enough of him.
Hopefully, Murphy will get enough of an opporunity to shine in his new role.
