Professor Brendan Murphy has announced his imminent retirement. 

Prof Murphy, the former Commonwealth Chief Medical Officer and secretary of the Department of Health and Aged Care, has confirmed his retirement on July 6th this year. 

The announcement comes as part of the Albanese government's pre-budget clearing of secretarial ranks.

Prof Murphy had been at the forefront of health policy for seven years, including three during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

He was a well-known face of COVID briefings and led the department during its biggest public health response in over a century, and oversaw the start of aged care, mental health, primary care, and health workforce reform during his time as secretary.

Health Minister Mark Butler has paid tribute to Prof Murphy, acknowledging his contribution during the pandemic. 

“With Professor Murphy's leadership, the department has responded to a renewed focus on commonwealth-state health relations, including advising national cabinet,” he said.

Butler also thanked Prof Murphy for his commitment and service to establishing the Health and Aged Care Ministerial Office for the Albanese government. 

“I want to thank Professor Murphy for his professionalism and his help in establishing the Health and Aged Care Ministerial Office for the Albanese government,” he said. 

“I wish him well in his retirement.”

While the announcement has been met with praise, Labor had previously been a strong critic of the Morrison government's COVID response, which they had sometimes attributed to experts like Prof Murphy. 

In particular, there was controversy surrounding the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) advice on risks and age brackets for the AstraZeneca COVID vaccine that saw millions of Australians shun the product as the virus ripped through the population.

However, such criticisms were absent on Thursday, with Butler thanking Prof Murphy for his service to the department. 

“Professor Murphy's time as secretary was broader than just COVID, and we are grateful for his leadership in other areas such as aged care, mental health, primary care, and health workforce reform,” he said.