Martin Parkinson commenced as secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C) on 23 January 2016. PM&C coordinates government-wide policy and provides considered advice to the Prime Minister and his Cabinet on what is the best way forward for Australia. Prior to this Dr. Parkinson was a professional non-executive director, serving on the boards of ORICA, O'Connell Street Associates, and the German-Australian Chamber of Industry and Commerce. From March 2011 to December 2014, Dr. Parkinson served as Australia's secretary to the Treasury. Prior to this he was the inaugural secretary of the Department of Climate Change from its establishment in December 2007. Dr. Parkinson holds a B.Ec. (Hons 1) from the University of Adelaide and a M.Ec. from the Australian National University. He holds a M.A. and a Ph.D. from Princeton University. In May 2015, Mr. Parkinson was awarded the degree of Doctor of the University (honoris causa) by the University of Adelaide.