Michael Coutts-Trotter
Encyclopedia
Michael Coutts-Trotter, an Australian public servant, is the Director-General of the New South Wales Department of Finance and Services.
, with a degree in journalism
.
Prior to his current appointment, 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.
His appointment as Director-General of the Department of Education was criticised by opposition members of Parliament, the NSW Teachers Federation and the Public Principals Forum for his lack of experience in teaching and education. The Teachers Federation also questioned his criminal background; with the Federation's president, Maree O'Halloran, saying that a teacher with his background would be unable to continue teaching.
Appointing him to his current role on 1 April 2011, the Premier of New South Wales Barry O'Farrell
said that Coutts-Trotter's skills would allow this new department to deliver on its results.
program. He told the ABC in April 2007 that his criminal past made him more determined to do a good job.
Coutts-Trotter is married to Tanya Plibersek
, a Labor
MP and the federal Minister for Housing
and Minister for the Status of Women
.
Biography
Coutts-Trotter matriculated from Saint Ignatius' College, Riverview and the University of Technology, SydneyUniversity of Technology, Sydney
The University of Technology Sydney is a university in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. The university was founded in its current form in 1981, although its origins trace back to the 1870s. UTS is notable for its central location as the only university with its main campuses within the Sydney CBD...
, with a degree in journalism
Journalism
Journalism is the practice of investigation and reporting of events, issues and trends to a broad audience in a timely fashion. Though there are many variations of journalism, the ideal is to inform the intended audience. Along with covering organizations and institutions such as government and...
.
Prior to his current appointment, Coutts-Trotter was appointed Director-General of the New South Wales Department of Education and Training
New South Wales Department of Education and Training
The New South Wales Department of Education and Communities, a department of the Government of New South Wales, is responsibile for primary schools, secondary schools and Technical and Further Education colleges...
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.
His appointment as Director-General of the Department of Education was criticised by opposition members of Parliament, the NSW Teachers Federation and the Public Principals Forum for his lack of experience in teaching and education. The Teachers Federation also questioned his criminal background; with the Federation's president, Maree O'Halloran, saying that a teacher with his background would be unable to continue teaching.
Appointing him to his current role on 1 April 2011, the Premier of New South Wales Barry O'Farrell
Barry O'Farrell
Barry Robert O'Farrell MP, is an Australian politician and is the 43rd Premier of New South Wales, Minister for Western Sydney, Leader of the New South Wales Liberal Party and a Member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly representing Ku-ring-gai for the Liberal Party since 1999.Born in...
said that Coutts-Trotter's skills would allow this new department to deliver on its results.
Personal ife
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 ArmySalvation Army
The Salvation Army is a Protestant Christian church known for its thrift stores and charity work. It is an international movement that currently works in over a hundred countries....
program. He told the ABC in April 2007 that his criminal past made him more determined to do a good job.
Coutts-Trotter is married to Tanya Plibersek
Tanya Plibersek
Tanya Joan Plibersek, MP , is an Australian politician with the Australian Labor Party, and Federal Minister for Social Inclusion and Minister for Human Services. She has been a member of the Australian House of Representatives since October 1998, representing the seat of Sydney, New South Wales...
, a Labor
Australian Labor Party
The Australian Labor Party is an Australian political party. It has been the governing party of the Commonwealth of Australia since the 2007 federal election. Julia Gillard is the party's federal parliamentary leader and Prime Minister of Australia...
MP and the federal Minister for Housing
Minister for Housing (Australia)
The Australian Minister for Social Housing and Homelessness is Mark Arbib, who was appointed on 14 September 2010, following the Labor Party's win at the 2010 election...
and Minister for the Status of Women
Minister for the Status of Women (Australia)
The Australian Minister for Status of Women is Kate Ellis, who was appointed on 14 September 2010. The ministry is administered through the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs....
.