James Collins

James Richard Collins (14 March 186918 June 1934) was a senior Australian public servant, best known for his time as head of the Department of the Treasury

Life and career

James Collins was born on 14 March 1869 in Sebastopol, Victoria.

Collins joined the Commonwealth Public Service in 1901, having before federation assisted to prepare the Victorian colonial budget in 1893 and in 1900 organising and running the first Victorian Old Age Pensions Office.

In 1926, Collins was appointed financial advisor to the Australian Government in London. In 1931, he was the leader of the Australian delegation at the Assembly of the League of Nations. His delegation specialised in discussions on finance, economics and disarmaments.

Collins became seriously ill in December 1932, although he told media the following year that the seriousness of his illness had been exaggerated in statements which reached Australia. He announced his retirement in September 1933.

He died in London on 18 June 1934, while in the role of financial adviser in London to the Commonwealth.

Awards Collins was made a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George in June 1920. In June 1923 he was created a Commander of the Order of the British Empire.