David Fredericks has announced that after more than 13 years, he will step down from his role as Secretary of the Federal Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW).
Mr Fredericks led the foundation of DCCEEW – which is an amalgamation of the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment and energy functions from the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources.
He was appointed Secretary at the establishment of the department on 1 July 2022.
Before the DCCEEW was established, Mr Fredericks was the Secretary of the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources from 3 February 2020, and before that, was the Secretary of the Department of the Environment and Energy from late 2019.
Mr Fredericks published the following message on the DCCEEW website to share the news:
Today I announce that I will be retiring from the Australian Public Service and as Secretary of the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. My last day will Friday 20 June 2025.
I have written to the Governor-General and the Prime Minister to inform them of my decision.
After five and a half years as Secretary, and eight years as a Deputy Secretary before that, it is time for me to move on to another phase of my life. Retiring now also gives my successor the opportunity to engage with our Ministers and lead the department as early as possible in the new term of the Albanese Government.
I am looking forward to spending more time with my family and being able to play a more active role with my children. I also intend to take advantage of the additional time I will have for community and recreational activities.
As part of this, I and my family will be moving permanently to Jindabyne by the end of this year. This is where our school-aged children will do their secondary schooling.
However, I will still be close to Canberra, and so can and indeed would like to make some ongoing contribution to Government in time.
There will be plenty of time for me to say goodbye and thank you over the next few weeks, and I will make sure there is an opportunity for me to speak to the department before I leave.
But for now, let me say that it has been an honour for me to serve the Government and the people of Australia during my time as Secretary and indeed throughout my public service career. I have been especially privileged to work with and lead the professional, committed, passionate and resilient public servants who make the Australian Public Service such an influential institution in Australia, to the benefit of both government and the community.
During the term of the Albanese Government, I have been very proud to lead the foundation of DCCEEW, and to consolidate its role as a crucial portfolio delivering some of the most important priorities of the Government’s agenda and tackling some of the most critical challenges for the Australian people. I also sincerely hope DCCEEW is becoming a great place to work, and that you can be your best self and bring your best self to work here.
Prior to that, I was particularly proud to have led the then Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources throughout the period of the COVID crisis. We should always recognise the magnificent common cause, resilience, commitment and sheer hard work that all of us in the Australian Public Service demonstrated in those difficult days. I firmly believe the Australian people do.
Advice on arrangements for filling the position of Secretary will be provided in due course.
Thanks very much.
In a joint statement, Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, and Federal Minister for the Environment and Water, Murray Watt, thanked Mr Fredericks for his outstanding contribution to Australia’s public service.
“Whether it’s been navigating the global energy crisis or charting Australia’s decarbonisation journey, Mr Fredericks has been a source of sound and practical policy advice for the government.”
Having led the foundation of the DCCEEW, Mr Bowen and Mr Watt said has made an important contribution to protecting and promoting Australia’s unique environment and biodiversity, which is world-renowned.
“Mr Fredericks retires with the thanks and appreciation of several former and serving ministers for his professionalism, dedication and unwavering commitment to good policy.
“His leadership of the department shows our public service is home to the nation’s big thinkers, those who want to drive progress in the pursuit of a better, fairer Australia.
“We wish Mr Fredericks well in the next chapter of his life.”
