Academic Promotions information sessions
News 17 MayIf you are considering applying for promotion, come along to an upcoming information session – Understanding the New Academic Promotions Process.
11 April 2017
Share
Sir Peter Lawler (left) at his investiture. Photo: National Archives of Australia
A trusted lieutenant by governments of all political persuasions, Sir Peter Lawler OBE made a distinguished contribution to Australia by working quietly in the background of public life.
Sir Peter Lawler OBE (1921-2017)
When today’s Australians rejoice in their multicultural society, and when they rest assured that they are being protected from the threat of terrorism, they have Peter Lawler to thank.
Sir Peter Lawler, who died last Saturday, was one of the foremost public servants of his generation. He served governments headed by every prime minister from Sir Robert Menzies to Bob Hawke. He was responsible for drafting the Cabinet paper that led to the abolition of the White Australia policy and for heading the taskforce that established the Australian Federal Police following the 1978 Hilton bombing in Sydney.
He was a trusted servant of governments of all political persuasions even though he was well known as a longtime supporter of the Australian Labor Party. He served as Secretary or Deputy Secretary of several departments of state including those of the Prime Minister, Cabinet, Special Minister of State, and Administrative Affairs. When Gough Whitlam appointed him Secretary of the Department of the Special Minister of State in 1973, Sir Peter was proud to be one of the first Catholics appointed to head a Commonwealth government department in the post-war decades.
Upon his retirement from the public service, he served as Australia’s Ambassador to Ireland and the Holy See from 1983 until 1986, and was involved with arrangements for Pope John Paul II’s visit to Australia in December 1986. He was a key advocate for a full-time ambassadorship at the Holy See, which Kevin Rudd established in 2008 at the conclusion of Pope Benedict XVI's visit to Australia for World Youth Day.
His political and religious leanings were similar to those of B. A. Santamaria, and, for the last decade, he served as a Patron of the Australian Family Association, which was established by Santamaria in 1980. His concern for his ordinary fellow Australians never left him and deeply influenced the advice he gave as a senior civil servant.
For his services to the state, he was honoured by the Queen, who appointed him as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 1965, and subsequently knighted him in 1981; and for his services to the Church, he was honoured by the Pope, who appointed him as a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Pius IX in 1986.
In recognition of his commitment to Labor politics and the Catholic Church, ACU hopes to establish the Sir Peter Lawler Visiting Fellowship at the PM Glynn Institute. This will enable a visiting scholar to undertake research and write a short book about the history and future of the relationship between the labour movement and Catholic social teaching in Australia.
Sir Peter was a great Australian and a great Catholic lay man who made a distinguished contribution to our country by working quietly in the background of public life for many years. Our prayers and deepest condolences go to his family at this time. May he rest in peace.
Professor Greg Craven AO, GCSG
If you are considering applying for promotion, come along to an upcoming information session – Understanding the New Academic Promotions Process.
Read the latest on the MFA for Students rollout.
Staff can include an additional question in the Student Evaluation of Learning and Teaching (SELT) survey for units that are offered in Term 2 (Foundation Studies) (202334).
The university takes academic misconduct very seriously. For a student, receiving an academic misconduct allegation letter can be highly stressful. Support is available.
A message from Executive Dean of Theology and Philosophy Professor Dermot Nestor: Purpose is what defines a Catholic university and galvanises the people who work within it.
ACU Co-Lab is proud to unveil its latest commercialisation program, Translate to Innovate Series, a specialised program targeting ACU’s research community.
See the TechOne P2P work instruction videos and modern slavery training modules which have been created to help grow your understanding of the subject matter, your responsibilities and the processes i...
Read a summary of the Academic Board meeting held on 12 April 2023.
Promotion recognises and rewards an academic’s achievements at their current level of appointment that warrant promotion to the next academic level. This year’s round marks a significant shift in the ...
As of Monday 8 May, Service Central phone support hours have changed to 9am–5pm AEST. Live chat remains available between 9am–5pm AEST.
Do you implement innovative strategies in your teaching that motivate and inspire students to learn? Receive recognition for your efforts by applying for an ACU Citation or VC Teaching Award.
A recording of last week’s Global Learning Showcase is now available to view if you were unable to attend. See what you may have missed.
You’re invited to attend local morning or afternoon tea events at the following local campuses hosted by the ACU ALLY Network, with the support of the Campus Deans and campus LGBTIQA+ Student Societie...
A message from Executive Dean of Law and Business Professor Andrew O’Neil: I am committed to ACU’s continued success, with a contribution that places a premium on impact and growth.
Stay informed on recent changes to the Procurement Policy, approvals for purchases, how to raise mandatory purchase orders and related knowledge base articles.
ACU’s business incubator, Co-Lab is delighted to announce details of its 2023 Circular Economy Incubator Series, designed for people and businesses with principles and practices of circular economics...
A message from Interim Provost Professor Meg Stuart: A unique new program for first year students is improving student retention at ACU.
Attend an online showcase to meet the Global Learning team, gain useful advice and find out how our various learning and engagement programs are developed and managed.
Do you have innovative ideas for program and curriculum development or initiatives to enhance student learning experiences that would benefit from funding? CEI has launched Teaching Development Grants...
Register for a webinar presented by the ACEN on the Graduate Outcomes Survey, focusing on a three-year evaluation of student participation in Work Integrated Learning.
Visit Service Central to access Corporate Services.