Today, Ray Griggs AO CSC, Secretary of the Department of Social Services has announced his retirement from the Australian Public Service.

Mr Griggs has had a distinguished 46-year career in the public service, including three years as the Secretary of the Department of Social Services, 18 months in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, and four decades in the Royal Australian Navy, including serving as the Chief of Navy and the Vice Chief of the Defence Force.

I sincerely thank Mr Griggs for his service to Australia and as one of my chief public service counsels in his final public role.

The Albanese Labor Government had an ambitious social policy agenda on winning office in 2022 and Mr Griggs has provided wise and sympathetic counsel on policies that impacted some of the nation’s most vulnerable people.

I also want to thank him for his important support on the critical legislation and reforms this Government had made to the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

On a personal note, I have enjoyed a strong working relationship Mr Griggs and, after more than four decades of public service, I wish him well.

Mr Griggs will step down toward the end of the year. His replacement will be announced in due course.