Peter Henderson

Peter Graham Faithfull Henderson, (1 October 1928 – 25 September 2016) was an Australian senior public servant. He was Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs between 1979 and 1984. He was also well known for being the son-in-law of Robert Menzies.

Early life and marriage Henderson was born in October 1928. He was educated at Tudor House School, Moss Vale, NSW and Geelong Grammar School, Victoria, and Merton College, Oxford (1947–1950). In May 1955, Henderson married Heather Menzies, daughter of Robert Menzies, the Australian Prime Minister. They had their first child, a daughter, in March 1956, in Jakarta.

Career and later life Henderson began his career in the Australian Public Service in the Department of External Affairs in 1951. During his time at the department he introduced rules to prevent couples being posted together, which was interpreted by those it affected as a "pincer movement" against career equality for female diplomats.

At the end of his public service career in September 1984, Henderson was offered positions in Rome and Ottawa—he chose to retire, and denounced the Australian Government for using the diplomatic service as a "depository... for people they want to get rid of in Canberra".

Henderson died in Canberra on 25 September 2016.

Awards In January 1985, Henderson was made a Companion of the Order of Australia in recognition of distinguished public service.