Member appointed by the Minister
Mr Andrew Tongue
Position: Secretary, Department of Planning and Community Development
Term of appointment: Until 31 December 2014
Andrew has had a long and distinguished career in the Commonwealth Public Service before commencing as Secretary of the Victorian Department of Planning and Community Development in September 2011.
His previous public sector roles included Deputy Secretary for the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs responsible for Australian Government social housing programs, remote indigenous housing, remote service delivery, community employment programs and indigenous economic development.
Andrew joined FaHCSIA in 2009 from the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government where he was the Deputy Secretary responsible for national aviation policy and regulation, transport security and transport safety investigation. During his stint in the department, Andrew worked on local government development, regional service delivery and development issues and support to small communities.
In his career Andrew has worked in a number of Australian Government departments dealing with issues such as immigration, housing, health and ageing, and non-metropolitan service delivery.
In recognition of his extensive service to public administration in a number of areas, Andrew received a Public Service Medal in 2011. Andrew has a Master's Degree in Public Policy from the Australian National University.
Qualifications: B Bus, Masters (ANU)
