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The Commonwealth has unveiled Australia’s new diplomatic representatives, including heads of industry and career bureaucrats.
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The Commonwealth has this week unveiled a raft of high-ranking appointments to represent Australia on the world stage, including the appointment of former prime minister Kevin Rudd to the post of Ambassador to the United States.
Qualifying the appointment of Dr Rudd, the Prime Minister’s Office explained that it was continuing a tradition of appointing “experienced former ministers” to leading diplomatic appointments.
The announcement is an about-turn on the government’s pre-election comments on the appointment of former PM to a role.
Speaking to Nine Radio in April, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese rubbished allegations that the government would appoint Dr Rudd to a diplomatic role in the United States describing the suggestions as “complete nonsense”.
Representing Australia in the US is also Heather Ridout AO, who will service as Australia’s consul-general in New York.
Ridout is the first woman to have been appointed into the role, having previously served as chief executive of the Australian Industry Group.
The Prime Minister’s Office has also confirmed the appointment of several career diplomats to global posts:
- Sophie Davies as Australia’s ambassador to Brazil.
- Dr Ralph King as Australia’s ambassador to Israel.
- Sonya Koppe as Australia’s high commissioner to Trinidad and Tobago.
- Minoli Perera as Australia’s ambassador to Zimbabwe.
- Richard Rodgers as Australia’s ambassador to Croatia.
- Phoebe Smith as Australia’s high commissioner to the Cook Islands.
In addition to the global postings, the Prime Minister’s office further appointed Bronte Moules as the nation’s first ambassador for human rights, and Stephanie Copus-Campbell as the ambassador for gender equality.
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