Max Moore-Wilton
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Max Moore-Wilton AC is an Australian corporate executive & former public servant, colloquially known as "Max the Axe".
Before becoming head of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Max served as a senior executive in the Trade & primary industries portfolios, General Manager of the Australian Wheat Board, Director-General of the NSW Department of Transport, NSW Maritime Services Board, manager of Australian National Lines & at the Australian Stock Exchange.
Max became head of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet in 1996, shortly after John Howard became Prime Minister. He immediately implemented cuts of more than 11,000 staff, including six department heads & proceeded to aggressively outsource various government services [1]. He also oversaw the passing of the Public Service Act 1999 (Cwlth), which gave the Prime Minister the power to hire and fire heads of departments. As a result he was accused of turning the public service into an "ideological office family", although the ALP were also accused of this during their time in office.
In December 2002 he left this role to become the CEO of Sydney Airport Corporation Limited (SACL), which is majority owned by Macquarie Bank, after the Federal government gave it a 99 year contract to lease & operate the airport. During his time there he implemented various cost increases to users & staff cutbacks. In addition, SACL announced plans to add a high-rise office block, a multi-level car park & retail space. These plans were controversial, considering the fact that Local councils, who usually have jurisdiction over such matters had none.
He quit this role in April 2006, but currently serves as SACL's Chairman.
