Michael Coutts-Trotter
Michael Coutts-Trotter was appointed Director-General of the New South Wales Department of Finance and Services on Friday 1 April 2011 by the Premier of New South Wales Barry O'Farrell. O'Farrell said that Michael's skills would allow this new department to deliver on its results. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/breaking-news/ofarrell-puts-stamp-on-public-service/story-fn3dxity-1226032271210 Prior to this appointment Michael Coutts-Trotter was appointed Director-General of the New South Wales Department of Education and Training in April 2007. He was director-general of the NSW Department of Commerce from 2004 to 2007, and chief of staff to the New South Wales Treasurer from 1998 to 2004. He is married to Tanya Plibersek, a Labor MP and the federal Minister for Housing and Minister for the Status of Women.
His appointment as Department of Education director-general was criticised by opposition members of Parliament, the NSW Teachers Federation and the Public Principals Forum [1] for his lack of experience in teaching and education. He matriculated from Saint Ignatius' College, Riverview and the University of Technology, Sydney, with a degree in journalism.[2]
The Teachers Federation also questioned his criminal background;[2] its president, Maree O'Halloran, saying that a teacher with his background would be unable to continue teaching. In 1986, at the age of 19, he was imprisoned for less than three years of a nine year sentence for conspiracy to import narcotics. At the time he was a heroin user. He recovered from his addiction through a Salvation Army program.[2] He told the ABC in April 2007 that his criminal past made him more determined to do a good job.[1]
References
- ^ a b "New schools' boss defends criminal past". ABC Online. 2007-04-11. Retrieved 2007-04-12.
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ a b c "Give me a chance: schools' chief". Sydney Morning Herald. 2007-04-11. Retrieved 2007-04-20.
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