Queen’s Birthday Honours: Former ASIO chief awarded Companion of the Order of Australia
Dennis Richardson was once known as the keeper of Australia’s secrets and now finds himself in the limelight after being awarded the highest honour in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.
Dennis Richardson was once known as the keeper of Australia’s secrets but there is no mystery shrouding his favourite sports team.
The former ASIO chief has been a diehard fan of the Canberra Raiders since they officially registered as a club in 1981 and brims with pride when pictured with his custom-made number-plates which read: R81.
“They’re the heart and soul of Canberra and I would note that where the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition both show very poor judgment is in their support of the Sharks and the Rabbitohs,” Mr Richardson said.
Today the former Department of Defence Secretary will be hoping to “watch the Demons clean up the Magpies at the MCG” as the Governor General Peter Cosgrove announces the Queen’s Birthday 2019 Honours List.
Mr Richardson, of Griffith, was one of just 12 Australians to be appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia, the highest honour possible.
His distinguished, 50-year career included a decade as the head of our spies and five years as ambassador to Washington before becoming chief of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and then Defence.
“Whether it was being in Papua New Guinea at the time of their independence in 1975, being Bob Hawke’s last chief of staff and being head of ASIO … they’ve all been terrific jobs and I’ve just been incredibly lucky to have stumbled into them.
“For instance, the only reason I went to Washington in 2005 is because Arthur Sinodinos pulled out … so they stumbled around and found me and here we are 14 years down the track and Arthur is going there and he will be superb.”
The humble 72-year-old puts his success down to “a combination of good luck, hard work and also family, friends and work colleagues”.
Mr Richardson said the most important issue internationally is the relationship between the US and China.
“That relationship fundamentally determines the politico-strategic environment in which we live,” he said.
Australia’s biggest priority in foreign affairs should be “a sharp interest in your own neighbourhood that encompasses both the Pacific and South East Asia”.
“We are a global trading country, therefore we do have an interest in the global economic outlook and freedom of trade and hence our membership of the G20 is very important in that context.
“And as I mentioned before the US china relationship is the big relationship which sits over the top of our regional interests.”
He believes successive Governments have ploughed sufficient resources into counter terrorism since 2001 when Al-Qaeda first named as Australia as a specific target.
Australians should remain “alert” about terrorism without allowing it to dominate our lives, he said.
Mr Richardson has been on the Canberra Raiders board since 2005 and is “hopeful” his team have what it takes to win the flag this season, despite virtually half their line-up being injured or headhunted for State of Origin.
Mr Richardson is undertaking a review of intelligence legislation and will deliver a report to the Government at the end of the year.
Here are some of the other Canberrans who were honoured for their outstanding contribution to their local communities and the entire nation.
Martin Bowles was made an Officer of the Order of Australia for his distinguished service to public administration at the senior level, and to policy development and program implementation.
He has served as secretary of the Department of Health and Department of Immigration and Citizenship as well as deputy secretary of the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency.
IN OTHER NEWS
Emeritus Professor Andrew Hopkins was also made an officer for his distinguished service to higher education, particularly to industrial safety and accident analysis.
Air Vice-Marshal Tracy Lee Smart received an AO Military honour for her distinguished service in responsible positions to the Australian Defence Force in the fields of medical and health services.
Michelle Lauder, the Department of Agriculture’s Assistant Secretary of Forestry, was awarded a public service medal for outstanding service to natural resource management and forest policy development and implementation.
In 2018 she delivered the Government’s National Forests Industry Plan for the future of the forestry industry, Growing a Better Australia-A Billion Trees for Jobs and Growth, the first national forest statement since 1992.
“When I was in primary school, all of our family holidays were camping in national and state parks or on the coast,” Ms Lauder said.
“So from an early age, I developed a love and appreciation of nature.”
Ms Lauder majored in Botany at university and since then she has devoted her life to caring for and managing our natural resources and landscapes.
She believes we are doing enough to protect our native forests.
“I know there is an assumption that it is all under threat, but that isn’t the case,” she said.
“We do need to continue to focus on its thoughtful management though, and not take it for granted.”
She said more research was needed to prevent uncontrolled bushfires, which have a huge impact on our native forests, and cause the loss of habitat for endangered species.
Lisa Filipetto was made a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to bilateral relations and to international humanitarian initiatives.
Warren King, of Barton, also became a member, for significant service to business, particularly in the area of defence industry capability.
For the full list of recipients, go online.
Australia’s coldest suburbs exposed
As winter and its bitter cold starts to settle into our bones and our homes, Australia’s coldest locations have been revealed.
Canberra sale and auction results, week ending June 15
Canberra recorded 26 property sales over a million dollars last week, the latest auction and sales results reveal.