John Knott (public servant)

Sir John Lawrence Knott AC CBE (6 July 1910 – 1999) was a senior Australian public servant. He was Director-General of the Postmaster-General's Department from 1968 to 1972. Afterwards he was appointed a company director in private industry.

Sir John Knott AC CBE
Secretary of the Department of Defence Production
In office 8 August 1957 – 23 April 1958
Secretary of the Department of Supply
In office 13 October 1959 – 12 March 1966
Director-General of the Postmaster-General's Department
In office 12 December 1968 – 14 January 1972
Personal details
Born	John Lawrence Knott (1910-07-06)6 July 1910 Romsey, Victoria
Died	1999 (aged 88–89)
Nationality	Australian
Alma mater	University of Melbourne
Occupation	Public servant

Life and career

Knott was born in Romsey, Victoria on 6 July 1910.^[1]

Between August 1957 and April 1958, Knott headed the Department of Defence Production.^[2]

He was Secretary of the Department of Supply between 1959 and 1966.^[3] During his time in the role, he accompanied Minister for Supply Allen Fairhall overseas visiting the United Kingdom and the United States on departmental business.^[4]

In 1966, Knott was appointed Deputy High Commissioner London.^[1] At the end of his term in November 1968, when he had been already appointed to head the Postmaster-General's Department starting the following month, Knott attended the UN World Space Conference in Vienna.^[5]

Between December 1968 and January 1972, Knott was Director-General of the Postmaster-General's Department.^[6]

In 1972, Knott was appointed to the board of Equity Trustees and Agency Co Ltd.^[7]

Awards

• While Deputy Secretary of the Defence Production Department in January 1957, Knott was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire.^[8] He was promoted to Commander of the Order in December 1960 whilst Secretary of the Department of Supply.^[9]
• Knott was appointed a Knight Bachelor in June 1971 for his public service.^[10] He was made a Companion of the Order of Australia in 1981.^[11]