PM Transcripts

FOR MEDIA 25 JANUARY 1989
The Government has appointed Mr WGT Miller to be the next
Director-General of the Office of National Assessments. The
appointment will-be for a five year term from 24 April 1989.
Mr Miller is currently Australian Ambassador to Japan, where
he has been stationed since August 1986. He also served as
Ambassador in Seoul from 1978-80 and had earlier postings in
Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, New York and New Delhi. He has held
senior positions in the Department of Foreign Affairs in
Canberra, as Deputy Secretary from 1984-86, and previously
as First Assistant Secretary in charge of North and South
Asia and Defence and Nuclear Divisions. Throughout 1982, Mr
Miller was seconded to the Department of the Prime Minister
and Cabinet as First Assistant Secretary, International
Division. Mr Miller will be the third Director-General of the Office
of National Assessments. The Office was established in 1977
to upgrade and co-ordinate Australia's capacity for
assessment of international matters of national importance.
The Government pays tribute to the retiring Director-General
Mr MJ Cook ( whose appointment as Australian Ambassador to
Washington is being announced by the Minister for Foreign
Affairs and Trade). I take this opportunity to record the
valuable contribution Mr Cook has made during his seven and
half year term in that important Office.