Former NSW Liberal premier Barry O’Farrell and ex-Liberal cupboard minister Mitch Fifield might be succeeded by skilled public servants when their respective phrases as excessive commissioner to India and Australia’s everlasting consultant to the United Nations finish subsequent 12 months.
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Former Liberal premier of Tasmania Will Hodgman, at present serving as excessive commissioner to Singapore, will even get replaced by an official from throughout the Division of Overseas Affairs when his time period ends.
Wong mentioned Smith’s appointment mirrored the “eminence of Australia’s relationship with the UK” given the numerous senior roles he held over his political profession.
“I need to clarify our authorities is reversing the earlier authorities’s strategy and we’re rebalancing appointments in the direction of extra certified senior officers in line with neighborhood expectations and place necessities,” she mentioned.
“In circumstances, there may be additionally a transparent benefit for Australia to be represented by individuals who
have had distinguished careers past the general public service akin to enterprise folks and former parliamentarians.”
In current instances the high-profile roles of US ambassador and UK excessive commissioner have been stuffed by former senior politicians aligned to the federal government of the day.
Wong additionally introduced profession diplomats in senior postings to Argentina, Egypt, Portugal, Turkey, Vietnam and Kuwait.
Extra to come back
Reduce by the noise of federal politics with information, views and skilled evaluation from Jacqueline Maley. Subscribers can signal as much as our weekly Inside Politics publication right here.