Wauchope set to retire

Inaugural head of the Public Sector Commission, Mal Wauchope, has announced his retirement after a 45-year career working for the Western Australian public service.

Mr Wauchope, who is set to stand down in July, has led the Public Sector Commission since it was established in 2008.

Considered one of the state’s most powerful and influential public servants, Mr Wauchope joined the state public service as a trainee graduate in Treasury in 1973.

In 1997, Liberal premier Richard Court appointed Mr Wauchope as director general of the Ministry of the Premier and Cabinet, a position he held until 2008.

He was made an officer of the Order of Australia last year for his distinguished service to public administration in WA through leadership and advisory roles.

Mr Wauchope recently led the amalgamation of state government departments from 41 to 25.

Premier Mark McGowan thanked Mr Wauchope for his service to the public sector.

“Mal has been a driver behind many State Government reforms that have led to better outcomes for WA,” Mr McGowan said

"As the commissioner, Mal leads an independent authority to ensure the WA public sector acts with integrity, performs efficiently and meets the high standard the WA members of the public would expect.”