List of ambassadors of Australia to Zimbabwe explained

Post:Ambassador of Australia to Zimbabwe
Insignia:Coat of Arms of Australia.svg
Insigniasize:120px
Department:Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Incumbent:Minoli Perera
Incumbentsince:22 March 2023
Residence:1 Green Close, Borrowdale, Harare
Nominator:Prime Minister of Australia
Style:Her Excellency
Appointer:Governor General of Australia
Reports To:Minister for Foreign Affairs
Formation:18 April 1980
Inaugural:Charles Mott (Special Representative)
Jeremy Hearder (High Commissioner)
Website:Australian Embassy Zimbabwe

The ambassador of Australia to Zimbabwe, known from 1980 to 2003 as the high commissioner of Australia to Zimbabwe, is an officer of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the head of the Embassy of the Commonwealth of Australia to the Republic of Zimbabwe. The position has the rank and status of an ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary and is currently held by Minoli Perera since 22 March 2023. The ambassador also holds non-resident accreditation as high commissioner to Zambia and Malawi (since 1991), and as ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Congo (since 1998), and the Republic of the Congo (since 2015). Non-resident accreditation has also previously been held for Botswana (1981–2004), Mozambique (1982–2004), Angola (1990–2010), and Namibia (1990–2004).

Posting history

See main article: Australia–Zimbabwe relations. The first official Australian presence in Zimbabwe dates back to December 1954, when an Office of the Australian Trade Commission was established in Salisbury, the capital of the British Colony of Southern Rhodesia and the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, as a response to increasing Australian business interest and activity in the region.[1] [2] [3] [4] The Assistant Trade Commissioner in South Africa, Gordon Knight, was appointed the first Trade Commissioner to the Federation in Salisbury.[5] [6] The Trade Commission office remained until its closure in December 1965, following Rhodesia's Unilateral Declaration of Independence on 11 November 1965.

Following the conclusion of the Lancaster House Agreement that would allow for the independence of Zimbabwe in December 1979, an Australian Liaison Office (headed by career diplomat Charles Mott as the Special Representative[7]) was established in Salisbury on 23 December 1979, to "assist the Ceasefire Monitoring Contingent and election observers with political support and advice, and to serve as a direct point of contact between the Australian Government and the British Authorities in Salisbury."[1] With the formal independence of Zimbabwe and the election of a new government under Prime Minister Robert Mugabe, the Australian Liaison Office was formally upgraded to the status of High Commission from 18 April 1980.[1] [8] The first Australian high commissioner to Zimbabwe, Jeremy Hearder, presented his letters of commission to the President of Zimbabwe, Canaan Banana, on 15 May 1980.[9] On 13 August 1981, Hearder was appointed as the non-resident high commissioner to Botswana, taking the post over from the Australian Embassy in South Africa.[10] Hearder also received non-resident accreditation as Australia's first ambassador to Mozambique from 7 June 1982.[11]

Relations between the two countries began to sour when the government in Zimbabwe began its controversial land reform programme, occupying farms owned by members of Zimbabwe's white minority, sometimes by force. Following evidence of violence and intimidation in the 2002 Presidential election, Australian Prime Minister John Howard, alongside South African president, Thabo Mbeki, and the Nigerian president, Olusegun Obasanjo, led efforts which resulted in Zimbabwe's suspension from the Commonwealth of Nations in 2002–2003.[12] With the voluntary departure of Zimbabwe from Commonwealth of Nations on 7 December 2003, the High Commission became an Embassy.

Zambia high commission

The Australian High Commission to Zambia in Lusaka, was opened on 1 August 1980 with the appointment of Michael Potts as the first acting high commissioner. However, from 18 May 1972 until 24 February 1983 the high commissioner resident in Dar-Es-Salaam, Tanzania, remained accredited to the country.[13] When the first resident high commissioner in Zambia, Ian James, was appointed in February 1983, responsibility for relations with Malawi, which had been held by the high commissioner to Tanzania since its independence in 1964,[14] was transferred to the new high commission in Lusaka, and he presented credentials as the first high commissioner to Malawi on 1 July 1983.[15] On 30 May 1988, the high commissioner Edwin Ride presented his credentials as non-resident ambassador to the President of Angola, José Eduardo dos Santos, marking the establishment of diplomatic relations between Angola and Australia.[16] When the high commission was closed for budgetary reasons on 14 June 1991, responsibility for relations with Zambia, alongside non-resident accreditation for Malawi and Angola, was transferred to the High Commission in Harare.

Heads of mission

Officeholder Title Other offices Term start date Term end date Time in office Notes
–Charles MottSpecial Representativealign=right
High Commissioneralign=right [17]
Alan Edwardsalign=right [18] [19]
Philip Petersalign=right [20] [21]
Jonathon Thwaitesalign=right [22]
align=right [23]
Denise Fisheralign=right [24] [25]
Jonathan Brown[26]
Ambassador
Jon Sheppardalign=right [27]
John Courtneyalign=right [28]
align=right [29]
Suzanne McCourtalign=right [30]
January 2023align=right [31] [32] [33] [34]
Minoli PereraIncumbentalign=right [35] [36]

Resident High Commissioners to Zambia

Officeholder Other offices Term start date Term end date Time in office Notes
– (Acting)align=right
Ian Jamesalign=right [37] [38]
Edwin Ridealign=right [39] [40]
Helen Warealign=right [41]
D. L. Holtalign=right

Notes

A. Also non-resident High Commissioner to Botswana, 1981–2004.

B. Also non-resident Ambassador (1982–1995) and High Commissioner (1995–2004) to Mozambique.

C. Also non-resident High Commissioner to Namibia, 1990–2004.

D. Also non-resident High Commissioner to Zambia, 1991–present.

E. Also non-resident High Commissioner to Malawi, 1983–1991 (Lusaka), 1991–present (Harare).

F. Also non-resident Ambassador to Angola, 1988–1991 (Lusaka), 1991–2010 (Harare).

G. Also non-resident Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 1998–present.

H. Also non-resident Ambassador to the Republic of the Congo, 2015–present.

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Australia-Zimbabwe . Australian Foreign Affairs Record . April 1980 . 51 . 4 . 84-88 . 17 October 2022.
  2. News: Trade posts established . . Burnie, Tasmania . 21 September 1954 . 17 October 2022 . 4 . National Library of Australia.
  3. News: TRADE WITH SOUTH-EAST ASIA . . Queensland, Australia . 6 November 1954 . 17 October 2022 . 4 . National Library of Australia.
  4. New Trade Commissioner Posts: Statement by the Minister for Commerce and Agriculture, the Rt. Hon. J. McEwen, 20th September, 1954. . Current Notes on International Affairs . September 1954 . 25 . 9 . 647-648 . 17 October 2022.
  5. News: Reshuffle of Trade Posts . . 31,085 . Victoria, Australia . 18 December 1954 . 17 October 2022 . 3 . National Library of Australia.
  6. G. P. H. Knight . Overseas Trading . 30 December 1954 . 7 . 4 . 10 . 17 October 2022.
  7. Rhodesia . Australian Foreign Affairs Record . December 1979 . 51 . 1 . 670-671 . 17 October 2022.
  8. Australian representation in Zimbabwe and Zambia . Australian Foreign Affairs Record . March 1980 . 51 . 3 . 78 . 17 October 2022.
  9. Australian Representation Overseas . Australian Foreign Affairs Record . May 1980 . 51 . 5 . 176 . 17 October 2022.
  10. Botswana: Australian High Commissioner . Australian Foreign Affairs Record . August 1981 . 52 . 8 . 418 . 17 October 2022.
  11. Australian Ambassador to Mozambique . Australian Foreign Affairs Record . June 1982 . 53 . 6 . 382 . 17 October 2022.
  12. News: Katwala. Sunder. Oliver. Mark. Zimbabwe and the Commonwealth. 12 January 2018. The Guardian. 21 March 2002.
  13. Representation - Australian Representation Overseas . Current Notes on International Affairs . May 1972 . 43 . 5 . 263 . 31 October 2022 . Department of Foreign Affairs.
  14. Independence of Malawi . Current Notes on International Affairs . July 1964 . 35 . 7 . 52 . 31 October 2022 . Department of External Affairs.
  15. Australia and Africa . Australian Foreign Affairs Record . November 1982 . 53 . 11 . 663 . 31 October 2022 . Department of Foreign Affairs. Our mission in Lusaka has been operating under an Acting High Commissioner, but is soon to be upgraded to a full High Commission. It will then take over responsibility for Malawi. It currently has visiting and reporting responsibilities for Angola and we anticipate it will be responsible for Namibia once that country achieves independence. Our post in Harare has accreditation to Botswana and Mozambique..
  16. Australia establishes formal diplomatic relations with Angola . Australian Foreign Affairs Record . June 1988 . 59 . 6 . 257 . 31 October 2022 . Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
  17. Zimbabwe Independence. https://web.archive.org/web/20150303071710/http://pmtranscripts.dpmc.gov.au/browse.php?did=5328. 3 March 2015. 18 April 1980. Malcolm. Fraser. Malcolm Fraser. Australian Government.
  18. News: The Sydney Morning Herald. New post for envoy. 27 February 1984. 5.
  19. News: Hayden . Bill . Diplomatic appointment: Zimbabwe . 17 October 2022 . Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government . 26 February 1984 . ParlInfo . Media Release.
  20. News: Hayden . Bill . Diplomatic appointment - Zimbabwe . 17 October 2022 . Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government . 15 November 1987 . ParlInfo . Media Release.
  21. News: New Ambassador to Turkey named. 17 November 1987. The Canberra Times. 3.
  22. News: Evans . Gareth . Diplomatic appointment - Zimbabwe . 17 October 2022 . Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australian Government . 4 April 1990 . ParlInfo . Media Release.
  23. News: Evans . Gareth . Diplomatic appointment: Southern Africa . 17 October 2022 . Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government . 1 February 1994 . ParlInfo . Media Release.
  24. News: Downer . Alexander . Diplomatic appointment: High Commissioner to Zimbabwe . 17 October 2022 . Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government . 24 February 1998 . Media Release.
  25. Diplomatic appointment - High Commissioner to Zimbabwe. https://web.archive.org/web/20140212025346/http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/1998/fa020_98.html. 12 February 2014. 24 February 1998. Alexander. Downer. Alexander Downer. Australian Government.
  26. Diplomatic appointment: High Commissioner to Zimbabwe. https://web.archive.org/web/20140212022820/http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2001/fa023_01a.html . 12 February 2014 . 2 March 2001. Alexander. Downer. Alexander Downer. Australian Government.
  27. Diplomatic appointment: Ambassador to Zimbabwe. https://web.archive.org/web/20140212013519/http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2004/fa086_04.html. 12 February 2014. 17 June 2004. Alexander. Downer. Alexander Downer. Australian Government.
  28. Diplomatic appointment - Ambassador to Zimbabwe. https://web.archive.org/web/20140212005500/http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2007/fa102_07.html. 12 February 2014. 8 August 2007. Alexander. Downer. Alexander Downer. Australian Government.
  29. Diplomatic appointment - Ambassador to Zimbabwe. https://web.archive.org/web/20150301054919/http://foreignminister.gov.au/releases/Pages/2010/kr_mr_101022.aspx?ministerid=2. 1 March 2015. 22 October 2010. Kevin. Rudd. Kevin Rudd. Australian Government.
  30. Diplomatic appointment - Ambassador to Zimbabwe. 6 March 2015. Julie. Bishop. Julie Bishop. Australian Government. https://web.archive.org/web/20150403033907/http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/Pages/2015/jb_mr_150306a.aspx?ministerid=4. 3 April 2015.
  31. Ambassador to Zimbabwe. 8 January 2018. Julie. Bishop. Australian Government. https://web.archive.org/web/20180316063945/https://foreignminister.gov.au/releases/Pages/2018/jb_mr_180108.aspx?w=tb1CaGpkPX%2FlS0K%2Bg9ZKEg%3D%3D. 16 March 2018.
  32. Web site: Alex Gallacher: Australian Ambassador inquiry (Question No. 1209) . Payne, Marise . Marise Payne . . . 2019 . 15 November 2022 .
  33. News: Machivenyika, Firarai . 6 envoys present credentials . The Herald . 13 April 2018 . 1 December 2022 . Zimbabwe .
  34. News: Chingwere . Mukudzei . Australia investments in Zim increase . 1 November 2023 . The Herald . 20 January 2023.
  35. News: Wong . Penny . Ambassador to Zimbabwe . 26 December 2022 . Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government . 20 December 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221220025321/https://www.foreignminister.gov.au/minister/penny-wong/media-release/ambassador-zimbabwe . 20 December 2022 . Media Release.
  36. News: Sri Lankan-born Australian Ambassador to Zimbabwe presents credentials . 1 November 2023 . Ada Derana . 24 March 2023.
  37. Zambia: Resident High Commissioner Appointed . Australian Foreign Affairs Record . January 1983 . 54 . 1 . 48-49 . 17 October 2022.
  38. Australian Representation Overseas . Australian Foreign Affairs Record . July 1983 . 54 . 7 . 376 . 10 November 2022 . Department of Foreign Affairs . National Library of Australia (Trove).
  39. High Commissioner to Zambia . Australian Foreign Affairs Record . October 1986 . 57 . 10 . 968 . 17 October 2022.
  40. Australian Representation Overseas . Australian Foreign Affairs Record . January 1987 . 58 . 1 . 36 . 9 November 2022 . Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade . National Library of Australia (Trove).
  41. High Commissioner to Zambia . Australian Foreign Affairs Record . September 1988 . 59 . 9 . 391 . 17 October 2022.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "List of ambassadors of Australia to Zimbabwe".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.