Media Release: STATEMENT FROM THE PREMIER AND THE TREASURER

FROM THE OFFICE OF THE PREMIER, OFFICE OF THE TREASURER

DATE: Tuesday, June 6, 2006

STATEMENT FROM THE PREMIER AND THE TREASURER

Premier Steve Bracks and Treasurer John Brumby offer their sincere condolence at the passing last night of the Secretary of the Department for Treasury and Finance, Ian Little, aged 50.

For over a decade Ian Little made an invaluable contribution to the State of Victoria holding the position of Deputy Secretary of the Department for Treasury and Finance from 1994, before becoming Secretary in 1998.

Mr Bracks said Mr Little’s guidance was vital to the sound management of the Victorian economy under both the former Kennett Government and the Bracks Government.

“The integrity, ability and dedication Ian brought to one of the highest positions in the Victorian Public Sector will leave an enormous legacy,” Mr Bracks said.

Mr Brumby said under Mr Little’s leadership, the Department for Treasury and Finance was a widely admired organisation within the broader Australian public sector and business community

“Ian has served respective Governments with great distinction, great loyalty and great professionalism,” Mr Brumby said.

“He was an outstanding public sector leader, a first rate manager and a hugely effective policy adviser.

“He will be greatly missed, professionally and personally, not only by his colleagues in Treasury, but also more broadly across the banking and economic communities.”

Educated at Monash University, Mr Little graduated with an honours degree in economics in 1977 before completing a Master of Science (Economics) at the London School of Economics in 1984.

He began his career at the Reserve Bank of Australia, holding a number of positions before becoming Head of Forecasting in 1985.

Mr Little joined the ANZ Banking group as a Senior Economist in 1987 before rising to Chief Manager of Retail Banking in 1992.

An active participant in many organisations, Mr Little was a Trustee of the Centre for Economic Development (CEDA), the Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, the Economic Society of Australia, and the Institute of Public Administration Australia.

The Bracks Government’s deepest sympathy goes to his wife Clair and his two daughters, Natalie and Kristina.