Scott Morrison to nominate Mathias Cormann for OECD Secretary-General

Scott Morrison has nominated longtime minister Mathias Cormann for a high-powered new role now he’s retiring from politics.

Retiring senator Mathias Cormann will be nominated as Australia’s pick for secretary-general of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison made the announcement in Canberra on Thursday morning and said Mr Cormann would formally retire from parliament at the end of October.

The Prime Minister said he had already advised the leaders of the other OECD nations of the nomination and it had been well received.

OECD secretary-general Angel Gurria revealed in July she would not seek a new term to lead the organisation.

The new secretary-general will be chosen by the 37 OECD member countries for a five-year term beginning on June 1.

Mr Morrison said Mr Cormann had the skills and experience to lead the organisation.

“He is well respected and he is well-known,” he said.

“Australians have an ability to work with everyone, to get on with everyone, to find the way through, to be practical, to bring people together and to support the many global organisations which the OECD would work with, particularly the G20.”

Retiring West Australian senator Mathias Cormann. Picture: Richard Dobson

Mr Morrison said Senator Simon Birmingham would become Government leader in the Senate and finance minister when Mr Cormann retires.

He said Senator Michaelia Cash would become the new Government deputy leader in the Senate.

Mr Cormann said he had accepted the nomination as he believed he could make a real difference.

“The OECD is without any doubt one of the most consequential international economic policy and governance bodies in the world today,” he said.

“Through its work over the past six decades, it makes a difference to the daily lives of billions of people all around the world.

“I believe I bring a combination of the right skills and experiences and perhaps a rare perspective to an organisation made up of nations from Europe, the Americas, the Asia-Pacific and the Middle East.”

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