Foreign Minister Senator Penny Wong has announced new Ambassador, High-Commissioner, and Consuls-General appointments. Photo: Facebook.
Foreign Minister Senator Penny Wong has announced several diplomatic appointments to India, Bhutan, Indonesia, Greece, Romania, Bulgaria and French Polynesia.
Alison Duncan has been named Australia’s next Ambassador to Greece. She will also be accredited to Bulgaria and Romania.
Ms Duncan is a senior officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and was most recently Assistant Secretary of the Consular Communications and Policy Branch. She has previously served overseas in Indonesia, New Zealand and the Solomon Islands.
“Australia cooperates with Greece, Bulgaria and Romania on a number of shared interests, including countering terrorism and illegal people movements,” Senator Wong said in a 16 June release.
“We have a likeminded approach to a range of international security issues, including upholding the rules-based international order, disarmament and non-proliferation.”
She will replace Arthur Spyrou who has held the post since 2019.
Phillip Green has been appointed High Commissioner to India, and will also be accredited to the Kingdom of Bhutan. Mr Green is a career diplomat within DFAT and most recently served as Australia’s Ambassador to Germany.
“The Australia-India relationship has never been closer. Australia and India share perspectives, challenges and a democratic heritage,” Senator Wong said. “We are working together, through our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and as Quad partners, to promote a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific region, where sovereignty is respected.”
Mr Green will replace former NSW Liberal Premier Barry O’Farrell, who has held the post since 2020.
Staying in India, Hilary McGeachy has been appointed as the first Consul-General in Bengaluru, Australia’s fifth diplomatic mission in India. The mission will be responsible for enhancing Australia’s trade, investment and technology ties in the southern Indian states of Karnataka and Telangana.
Todd Dias has been appointed the next Australian Consul-General in Makassar in Indonesia to replace Ms Bronwyn Robbins.
“The Consulate-General in Makassar plays an important role in advancing Australia’s economic engagement in eastern Indonesia, a region with a population of over 32 million people, while also supporting consular and development objectives,” Senator Wong said.
Senator Wong also announced the appointment of Alison Shea as Australia’s new Consul-General in Papeete in French Polynesia. A former Deputy Head of Mission to Mauritius, Ms Shea will replace outgoing Consul-General Claire Scott.
“Australia’s representatives overseas prosecute our national interests and, through their diplomatic engagement, help uphold the norms and rules that have underpinned decades of peace and prosperity,” Senator Wong said.
“I thank the outgoing Ambassador, High Commissioner and Consul Generals for their contributions to advancing Australia’s interests.”
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