Deputy Secretary - Legal:

Graeme leads the Legal and International Group and is a member of the Strategic Leadership Team. Graeme has been the Department's Chief Legal Adviser since 1985, and has also acted as Chief Executive on several occasions.

During that time Graeme has managed legal services and advice to the Department and Ministers; the Government's relationship with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and labour-related aspects of Free Trade negotiations and implementation; the Department's representation in courts and tribunals, and overseen the development of relevant legislative reforms and their passage through Parliament. He also has responsibility for the newly established Immigration Advisers Authority, as well as the support requirements of three Immigration Appeal Authorities. Graeme's career has been primarily with the Department of Labour, with some time at the State Services Commission. In 2007, Graeme was named CLANZ Corporate Lawyer of the Year.