Allan Hawke Allan Douglas Hawke AC ( born 18 February 1948 ) is a former Australian senior public servant and diplomat . He has served as : Chief of Staff to Prime Minister Paul Keating ; Secretary of the Department of Veterans ' Affairs ( 1994 – 1996 ) ; Secretary of the Department of Transport and Regional Services ( 1996 – 1999 ) ; and Secretary of the Department of Defence ( 1999 – 2002 ) . Hawke was then appointed High Commissioner to New Zealand ( 2003 – 2005 ) , and subsequently Chancellor of the Australian National University ( 2006 – 2009 ) . Since then , Hawke has been a board member of the Canberra Raiders . Biography . Early years . Hawke was born in Canberra , ACT , Australia and educated at Queanbeyan High School , New South Wales . Hawke holds a Bachelor of Science ( 1st Class Honours ) and a Doctor of Philosophy from the Australian National University , Canberra . Career . Hawke ' s extensive career in public administration at senior levels includes appointments as Secretary of the Departments of Veterans ' Affairs , Transport and Regional Services and Defence . He completed his public service to Australia as High Commissioner and Plenipotentiary of Australia to New Zealand . Hawke was appointed a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Public Administration ( FAIPA ) in 1998 and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management ( FAIM ) in 1999 , in recognition of his outstanding contribution to public service . In 2001 , he became a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors ( FAICD ) and was also honoured with the Centenary Medal for his service as Secretary to the Department of Defence . The Australian Financial Review ’ s " Boss " Magazine named him as one of Australia ’ s top 30 true leaders in its inaugural list in 2001 . In 2010 , Hawke was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia for his eminent service to public administration , particularly through the formulation and implementation of policy in the areas of transport , defence and education , and to the strengthening of bilateral relations with New Zealand . Hawke has participated in major inquiries into the Commonwealth Public Service including : On 3 September 2010 , ACT Chief Minister Jon Stanhope announced that Hawke would lead a review into the Australian Capital Territories ' Public Service . Following the release of his findings in March 2011 , the Federal Government ordered another review into the National Capital Authority , where Hawke will conduct the inquiry . In March 2011 , Immigration Minister , the Hon Chris Bowen MP , announced that an independent review into the Christmas Island breakouts and riots will be carried out by two former senior public servants , Dr Allan Hawke and Helen Williams . Also in March 2011 , the Minister for Regional Australia , Regional Development and Local Government , the Hon Simon Crean MP , announced that Hawke was to conduct an independent review of the National Capital Authority . Hawke has served on various boards including the Management Advisory Board , Administrative Review Council , Australian Strategic Policy Institute Council , Foreign Affairs Council and the Defence and National Security Advisory Council . Hawke ' s appointments have included : Family life . Hawke married Maria Michele Senti on 2 April 1977 and they have one child . For recreation he enjoys golf , researching family history and he is a member of the Royal Canberra Golf Club .