Tony Ayers interviewed by John Farquharson [sound recording]
- Bib ID:
- 1787233
- Format:
- Audio
- Author:
- Ayers, Tony, 1933-2016, interviewee
- Access Conditions:
- Access open for research; written permission required for personal copies and public use during the lifetime of the interviewee.
- Description:
-
- 1998
- 4 digital audio tapes (ca. 188 min.)
- Summary:
-
Ayers discusses his retirement from Defence in early 1998, his first job as a teacher in Victorian schools, his secondment in teaching prisoners and later work as a probation officer for 13 years, then Assistant Director, Youth Welfare from 1961-1967 leading to his move to Canberra in 1967 as Director of Welfare in Dept. of the Interior, his early family background and education, his move into the Prime Minister's Dept. and discusses the people there and their careers, his views on Malcolm Fraser's leadership and his political acumen, particularly on African matters, compares the administrative styles of Fraser, Hawke and Keating, the role of political advisers to ministers, his view of the Public Service today, his work as as Head of Aboriginal Affairs in 1979 and his view of Fred Chaney as his minister, how he headed Social Security from 1981, Australia's unsatisfactory retirement policy, how he came to head Defence in 1988, how he worked with Alan Beaumont, Peter Gration and John Baker to build up an integrated and joint dept., Kim Beazley as Defence Minister, strong relationship with Foreign Affairs, major concerns over the culture at the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) especially ongoing sexual harassment, Robert Ray as Defence Minister, our decision to build our own submarines and frigates, receipt of Blackhawk helicopters.
- Biography/History:
-
Tony Ayers - Commonwealth public servant and Secretary of Defence 1988-1998.
- Notes:
-
- Recorded on March 19 to April 2, 1998.
- Digital master available National Library of Australia;
- Index/Finding Aid Note:
- Timed summary and uncorrected transcript (typescript, 92 leaves) available.
- Subject:
- Occupation:
- Public servants
- Other authors/contributors:
- Farquharson, John M., 1929-2016, interviewer
- Copyright:
-
In Copyright
Contact us for information about copying. For access conditions return to the record display above.
- Reason for copyright status:
- Until 2068 [Created/Published Date + 70 Years]
Copyright status was determined using the following information:
- Material type:
- Sound Recording
- Published status:
- Unpublished
- Creation date:
- 1998
Copyright status may not be correct if data in the record is incomplete or inaccurate. Other access conditions may also apply. For more information please see: Copyright in library collections.
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