Treasury secretary Ken Henry has announced his retirement and will leave in early 2011.
Henry, who was appointed Secretary to the Treasury in 2001, also lead Australia's Future Tax System Review, which was established by the Rudd Government in 2008.
Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan said from March 2011 Secretary of the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency Martin Parkinson would succeed Henry, who would officially retire at the beginning of next year.
"I congratulate Dr Henry on a public service career that has seen him play a crucial role in the economic reforms that have helped secure Australia's 20 years of uninterrupted growth," Swan said.
"His performance during the global financial crisis and his central role in tax reform, in particular, have made him arguably the finest Australian public servant since HC "Nugget" Coombs."
Swan said Parkinson was a tremendously capable public servant in his own right and someone he was certain would make a successful Treasury secretary.
"I have long described the Treasury as the policy powerhouse of the federal bureaucracy and his appointment only enhances that reputation further," Swan said.
"I look forward to working with Ken for the remainder of his tenure, and with Martin for the years that follow, to ensure the Australian economy remains the envy of the world," he said.
"The Treasury and I have a lot of work to do to ensure we fully maximise our opportunities in the Asian Century, and build the stronger, broader economy all Australians deserve."
