Bernadette Linn | |
|---|---|
甯漢豪 | |
.jpg.webp) Linn in 2023 | |
| Secretary for Development | |
| Assumed office 1 July 2022 | |
| Chief Executive | John Lee |
| Preceded by | Michael Wong |
| Permanent Secretary for Development | |
| In office 1 July 2017 – 30 June 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Michael Wong |
| Succeeded by | Doris Ho |
| Director of Lands | |
| In office 31 July 2012 – 30 June 2017 | |
| Preceded by | Wong Chung-hang (acting) |
| Succeeded by | Thomas Chan |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 7 January 1964 Hong Kong |
| Nationality | Chinese (Hong Kong) |
| Alma mater | University of Hong Kong (BA) University of Michigan (M.J.) |
Bernadette Linn Hon-ho JP (Chinese: 甯漢豪, born 7 January 1964) is a Hong Kong government official, currently serving as Secretary for Development.
After studying in Marymount Secondary School, Linn graduated from the University of Hong Kong in 1986 with Bachelor of Arts after studying English literature, and a year later from University of Michigan with Master of Journalism.[1][2]
Linn joined the civil service in January 1989 as an Administrative Officer. Having served in multiple departments and bureaux, she was promoted to Deputy Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury in 2008.[3]
In a 2009 Legislative Council committee meeting, Linn criticised pro-democracy lawmaker Leung Kwok-hung for using unparliamentary language, which he declined to classify as, denouncing then Chief Executive Donald Tsang over inadequate measures on elderly welfare. Raising a point of order, Linn said, as a mother herself, the best test to define foul language "would be whether a parent would be prepared to teach his/her children to use the expression in daily conversations or writings".[4] Her comments won appreciations from the officials, and was later promoted to Private Secretary to the Chief Executive in 2010.[3] She was then appointed as Director of Lands in 2012, a position which she held for five years.
In July 2017, she succeeded Michael Wong, who was appointed Secretary for Development, as Permanent Secretary for Development.[3] Four years later, she again succeeded Wong to become the Secretary for Development.[5] During her tenure, the construction of 12,000 public housing flats on century-old Fanling Golf Course stirred controversies in the city. Despite different parties, including Hong Kong Golf Club, tournament organisers and even pro-government figures spoke out strongly against the plan, Linn said the government remained determined and vowed to deliver on the housing supply goal despite rezoning delay.[6]
In September 2023, after illegal unauthorized structures were discovered at luxury apartments, Linn said "nobody" was at fault.[7]
References
- ↑ 盧, 子健; 何, 安達 (1994). 香港人名錄 [Book of Hong Kong Individuals] (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). 天地圖書. p. 500.
- ↑ 香港政府職員名冊 一九九六年 [Book of Hong Kong Government Staff: 1966] (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). Hong Kong: Hong Kong Government. 1 July 1996. p. 13.
- 1 2 3 "Senior appointments (with photos)". Hong Kong Government. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
- ↑ 李, 八方 (27 March 2009). "隔牆有耳︰只許鬥噏 不准仆街" [Politics: "Bollocks" are okay but not "stumbling to death"]. Apple Daily (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). Archived from the original on 21 June 2021. Retrieved 10 December 2020.
- ↑ "Principal Officials of Sixth-term HKSAR Government appointed (with photos)". www.info.gov.hk. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
- ↑ "'Hong Kong determined to build housing on golf course despite vocal opposition'". South China Morning Post. 18 June 2023. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
- ↑ "Opinion: Punish all parties involved in illegal building works for starters". South China Morning Post. 24 September 2023. Retrieved 26 September 2023.