he was an australian selector from 1967 to 1979. immediately after his appointment, he was embroiled in controversy during the first test against india at brisbane in 1967–68. the queensland cricket association wrote to the board, complaining that harvey, who was the selector on duty at the test, had missed two hours of play. he had been at a race meeting at the invitation of the qca president. the acb gave harvey a talking to. despite this, he retained his position at the next annual election, with queensland's ken mackay failing to gain a seat on the selection panel.