Bruce Hamilton (public servant)
# Bruce Hamilton (public servant)

Leslie Bruce Hamilton CBE (4 July 1911 – 12 June 1989) was an Australian senior public servant and head of the Department of Social Services (later Social Security) between 1966 and 1973.

## Life and career

Bruce Hamilton was born in Nook, Tasmania on 4 July 1911 to parents George Hamilton and Margaret Ann, née Peters.

Hamilton began his Australian Public Service career in 1939 as Army Paymaster for Tasmania. He moved to Canberra in 1940.

On 1 January 1966, Hamilton was appointed Secretary of the Department of Social Services. When the Whitlam government was elected, the department was abolished and the new Department of Social Security established. Hamilton was Secretary of the new department for less than a month before he retired. During his time as head of the Social Services department, Hamilton broadened the department's scope by introducing legislation for deserted wives, for home care and for emergency relief.

Hamilton's death was on 12 June 1989 at the Royal Canberra Hospital.

## Awards

Hamilton was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 1966 whilst a First Assistant Secretary at the Department of the Treasury. In June 1972 he was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire during his time as Director-General of the Social Services Department.

