Andrew Metcalfe: dumped by Tony Abbott, back six years on

A high-profile bureaucrat axed by Tony Abbott is a big winner in the public service shake-up.

Andrew Metcalfe during his time as secretary of the Immigration and Agriculture departments. Picture: Gary Ramage

A high-profile bureaucrat who was axed by Tony Abbott after the Coalition won office in 2013 has emerged as one of the biggest winners in Scott Morrison’s public service shake-up.

Andrew Metcalfe, a former secretary of the Immigration and Agriculture departments, has been recruited back to the public service to head a new super ­department in charge of policymaking for agriculture, water and the environment.

The architect of the Gillard Labor government’s failed ­“Malaysia solution” immigration policy is in line for an annual ­salary of up to $775,000, as five ­department heads lose their jobs weeks out from Christmas. Another beneficiary of the culling of four departments is Department of Education and Training secretary Michele Bruniges, who will now have skills and employment in her remit.

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The former teacher, who has been the head of the ACT and NSW education departments, started in the education department in 2016.

Infrastructure Department secretary Simon Atkinson’s ­powers have also been expanded to include communications and regional development, while Energy Department secretary David Fredericks has lost environment but gained industry, science and resources.

Mr Fredericks has previously been deputy secretary of the ­Finance and Attorney-General’s departments.

Mr Atkinson is a former deputy secretary in Treasury, a former cabinet secretary and led the establishment of Infrastructure Australia when he held a senior role in the Infrastructure Department.

There were five department heads who were culled under the public service streamlining, ­including Department of ­Communications and the Arts secretary Mike Mrdak.

Mr Mrdak wrote to staff on Thursday declaring he was not allowed to provide advice on the proposed changes.

“Nor were our views ever sought on any proposal to abolish the department or to changes to our structure and operations,” Mr Mrdak wrote.

Also on the scrapheap were Employment Department secretary Kerri Hartland, Agriculture Department secretary Daryl Quinlivan, Industry Department secretary Heather Smith and Services Australia boss Renee Leon.

Most axed bureaucrats were informed of their terminations the day before the Prime Minister’s announcement, while Ms Leon told The Australian she found out only on Thursday.

Mr Morrison thanked each dumped official for making a contribution to the public service.

“Each of these senior officials has served their country with dedication, commitment and a deep sense of public service over many years, and their advice, achievements and leadership have been valued by governments past and present,” Mr Morrison said.

“On behalf of the government and all Australians, I thank Ms Hartland, Ms Leon, Mr Mrdak, Mr Quinlivan and Dr Smith for everything they have done to advance Australia’s interests, and for their service, and I wish them all the best in their future endeavours.”

Mr Metcalfe, who was one of three departmental secretaries axed in the first fortnight of Mr Abbott’s prime ministership, joined the public service in 1980 and rose to become the head of the Immigration and Agriculture ­departments.

He faced criticisms from some Coalition figures for his opposition to Mr Abbott’s boat turnback policy, which was the brainchild of Mr Morrison, then the immigration spokesman.

He was also a key figure in designing the Gillard government’s proposed “Malaysia solution”, which was opposed by the Coalition and deemed illegal by the High Court of Australia.

“Andrew Metcalfe will be returning to the ranks of the Australian Public Service,” Mr Morrison said on Tuesday.

“I know he will bring considerable public policy leadership experience and strength to this Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment and to the secretaries board itself.”

Mr Metcalfe became a partner of accounting firm EY after he was replaced as secretary of the old department of agriculture, fisheries and forestry after a short tenure in the role.

He was appointed by John Howard as head of the Immigration Department in 2005 and held the position until 2012. He devised the Howard government’s Pacific Solution policy.