PM Transcripts

6
PRIME MINISTER EMBARGOED UNTIL 6.00 AM
FOR MEDIA SATURDAY 6 AUGUST 1988
I have heard with sadness of the death of Sir Keith Shann.
Sir Keith was an outstanding Australian public servant who
had a distinguished career spanning almost 40 years. He
made important contributions as a diplomat in Asia and at
the United Nations and in Canberra as a senior officer of
the Department of Foreign Affairs and as Chairman of the
Public Service Board.
Sir Keith established a world-wide reputation for diplomacy
when he was appointed Australian representative and
Rapporteur of the United Nations Committee on the Problem of
Hungary in 1957. The role he played in bringing the
international community to address the consequences of the
Soviet invasion of Hungary in 1956 reflected great credit on
his personal skills and on Australia.
Sir Keith was an important member of a generation of
Australian diplomats who worked vigorously to define
distinctly Australian interests in the international
environment, particularly in Asia. He was Ambassador to the
Philippines ( 1956-1958) and to Japan ( 1974-1977). many,
however, will renember him particularly for the singular
contribution to public life he made as Ambassad1or to
Indonesia in 1962-66.
I met Sir Keith on a number of occasions at overseas posts
and can personally attest to his outstanding capacities and
the distinction with which he represented Australia.
I extend the Government's and my personal condolences to
Lady Shann and her family on this sad loss.
868