List of high commissioners of Australia to Singapore explained

Post:High Commissioner of Australia to Singapore
Insignia:Coat of Arms of Australia.svg
Insigniasize:120px
Department:Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Incumbent:Allaster Cox
Incumbentsince:18 April 2023
Residence:9 White House Park
Seat:Union Building (1947–55)
MacDonald House (1962–67)
25 Napier Road (Since 1977)
Nominator:Prime Minister of Australia
Style:His Excellency
Appointer:Governor General of Australia
Reports To:Minister for Foreign Affairs
Formation:13 August 1965 (High Commissioner)
Inaugural:Bill Pritchett
Website:Australian High Commission, Singapore

The high commissioner of Australia to Singapore is an officer of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the head of the High Commission of the Commonwealth of Australia to the Republic of Singapore. The high commissioner has the rank and status of an ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary.

Posting history

The earliest formal diplomatic representation dates from 1922, when Egbert Sheaf was appointed Trade Commissioner for the East based in Singapore, the capital of the British Straits Settlements, who served until January 1925.[1]

On 1 September 1941, the Minister for External Affairs, Sir Frederick Stewart, announced the appointment of Vivian Gordon Bowden as Australia's Official Representative at Singapore, with the aim of being the official intermediary between the Commonwealth Government and the British authorities.[2] Bowden was supported by a Commercial Secretary, Alfred Wootton, and a Third Secretary, John Quinn. Bowden was captured following the Fall of Singapore on 15 February 1942 and was murdered by his Japanese captors two days later, despite his diplomatic status and being a non-combatant prisoner of war.[3] With the end of Japanese occupation, Australia posted a resident Commissioner and Trade Commissioner in post-war Singapore from 1946 representing Australia in British Malaya, North Borneo, Sarawak, as well as Singapore, prior to their federation with Malaysia in 1963, when the post became the Deputy High Commission to Malaysia, reporting to the new High Commission in Kuala Lumpur.

Singapore and Australia have enjoyed official diplomatic relations since 10 August 1965, following Singapore's independence when it was expelled from Malaysia the day before on 9 August. Australia was the first country to recognise Singapore and the serving Prime Minister at the time of recognition, Sir Robert Menzies, announced "I have informed the Singapore Prime Minister that we will be happy to establish full diplomatic relations with Singapore at the level of high commissioner and that we wish Singapore well in its new sovereignty and look forward to a continuance of close and friendly relations with the new State and with Malaysia."[4] Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew had made his first visit to Australia in March 1965.[5] Bill Pritchett, who had been serving as deputy high commissioner to Malaysia in Singapore since January 1964, was appointed as the first high commissioner three days after recognition, by Foreign Minister Paul Hasluck.[6]

In 2015, Australia and Singapore celebrated 50 years of diplomatic relations alongside celebrations for 50 years of Singapore's independence.[7]

Office-holders

High commissioners

Officeholder Term start date Term end date Time in office Notes
align=center align=right
align=center align=right [8]
align=center align=right [9]
align=center Robert Birchalign=right [10]
align=center Laurence Corkeryalign=right [11] [12]
align=center Geoffrey Pricealign=right [13] [14]
align=center Kenneth McDonaldalign=right [15]
align=center align=right [16]
align=center Margaret Rosaleen McGovernalign=right [17]
align=center Alan Brownalign=right [18]
align=center Ted Delofskialign=right [19]
align=center align=right [20] [21]
align=center align=right [22] [23]
align=center Miles Kupaalign=right [24] [25]
align=center Doug Chesteralign=right [26] [27]
align=center Philip Greenalign=right [28] [29] [30]
align=center Bruce Gosperalign=right [31] [32]
align=center February 2023align=right [33] [34] [35] [36]
align=center 19Incumbentalign=right

Prior appointments

Officeholder Title Term start date Term end date Time in office Notes
Egbert Sheaf Trade Commissioneralign=right [37] [38] [39]
Posting abolished
Official Representativealign=right
Posting closed (due to the Fall of Singapore)
John Charles Rookwood Proud Political Representativealign=right [40] [41]
Commissioner for Malaya and South-East Asiaalign=right [42]
(Acting)align=right
align=right
Laurence McIntyrealign=right
align=right
Commissioner for Singapore, Brunei, Sarawak and North Borneoalign=right [43] [44]
Alexander Hay Borthwick (Acting)align=right [45]
align=right [46]
(Acting)align=right [47]
align=right [48] [49]
W. Kevin Flanagan (Acting)align=right [50]
(Acting)[51]
Deputy High Commissioner to Malaysia,
resident in Singapore
align=right
High Commissioner appointed

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Cotton . James . Sheaf, Egbert Thomas (1869–1948) . People Australia . National Centre of Biography, Australian National University . 15 December 2022.
  2. News: Singapore Appointment. . . NSW . 2 September 1941 . 15 August 2015 . 2 . National Library of Australia.
  3. Darryl Bennet, 'Bowden, Vivian Gordon (1884–1942)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/bowden-vivian-gordon-9552/text16825, published first in hardcopy 1993, accessed online 15 August 2015.
  4. News: Australia will still help to defend Singapore. . . 11 August 1965 . 15 August 2015 . 1 . National Library of Australia.
  5. News: Singapore P.M. arrives. . The Canberra Times. 16 March 1965 . 15 August 2015 . 3 . National Library of Australia.
  6. News: Our man for new State. . The Canberra Times. 14 August 1965 . 15 August 2015 . 4 . National Library of Australia.
  7. Bishop. Julie. Julie Bishop. 50 years of Australia-Singapore friendship. Australian Government. https://web.archive.org/web/20160118212111/http://foreignminister.gov.au/releases/Pages/2015/jb_mr_150520b.aspx. 18 January 2016 . 20 May 2015.
  8. News: Envoy chosen for Singapore. . The Canberra Times. 31 December 1966 . 15 August 2015 . 3 . National Library of Australia.
  9. News: Forward defence. . The Canberra Times. 5 June 1970 . 15 August 2015 . 5 . National Library of Australia.
  10. News: Appointments. . The Canberra Times. 14 December 1973 . 15 August 2015 . 3 . National Library of Australia.
  11. News: Envoy. . The Canberra Times. 19 February 1977 . 15 August 2015 . 3 . National Library of Australia.
  12. Peacock . Andrew . High Commissioner to Singapore . 15 December 2022 . Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government . 18 February 1977 . ParlInfo .
  13. Peacock . Andrew . High Commissioner in Singapore . 15 December 2022. Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government . 22 December 1977. ParlInfo .
  14. Chad Mitcham, ’Price, Geoffrey John’, Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/price-geoffrey-john-32557 published online 2023
  15. Street . Tony . Diplomatic appointment . 15 December 2022 . Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government . 24 March 1981 . ParlInfo .
  16. Hayden . Bill . Diplomatic appointment: Singapore . 15 December 2022 . Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government . 15 November 1983 . ParlInfo .
  17. High Commissioner to Singapore . Australian Foreign Affairs Record . August 1987 . 58 . 8 . 445 . 15 December 2022 . Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade . National Library of Australia (Trove).
  18. Evans . Gareth . Diplomatic appointment- Singapore . 15 December 2022 . Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government . 16 August 1990 . ParlInfo .
  19. Evans . Gareth . Diplomatic appointment: Singapore . 15 December 2022 . Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government . 13 September 1993 . ParlInfo .
  20. Diplomatic Appointment: Singapore. https://web.archive.org/web/20120330035910/http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/1996/fa135.html. 30 March 2012. Alexander. Downer. Alexander Downer. Australian Government. 29 November 1996.
  21. Web site: Mr Murray McLean - High Commissioner to Singapore . Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade . 15 December 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20010310235228/http://www.dfat.gov.au/homs/sg.html . 10 March 2001.
  22. Diplomatic Appointment: High Commissioner To Singapore. 6 March 2001. https://web.archive.org/web/20140212022814/http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2001/fa026_01.html. 12 February 2014. Alexander. Downer. Alexander Downer. Australian Government.
  23. Web site: Mr Gary Quinlan - High Commissioner to Singapore . Australian Heads of Mission . Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade . 15 December 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20050713193833/http://www.dfat.gov.au/homs/sg.html . 13 July 2005.
  24. Diplomatic Appointment: High Commissioner To Singapore. 15 June 2005. Alexander. Downer. Alexander Downer. Australian Government. https://web.archive.org/web/20140212012240/http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2005/fa077_05.html. 12 February 2014.
  25. Web site: Mr Miles Kupa - High Commissioner to Singapore . Australian Heads of Mission . Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade . 15 December 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080809121555/https://www.dfat.gov.au/homs/sg.html . 9 August 2008.
  26. https://web.archive.org/web/20150406121126/http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2008/fa-s120_08.html. 6 April 2015. Diplomatic Appointment – High Commissioner To Singapore. 30 July 2008. Australian Government. Stpehen. Smith. Stephen Smith (Australian politician).
  27. Web site: Mr Doug Chester - High Commissioner to Singapore . Australian Heads of Mission . Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade . 15 December 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20091008220920/http://www.dfat.gov.au/homs/sg.html . 8 October 2009.
  28. High Commissioner to Singapore. Australian Government. 24 August 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20140714195442/http://foreignminister.gov.au/releases/Pages/2012/bc_mr_120824b.aspx?ministerid=1. 14 July 2014. Bob. Carr. Bob Carr.
  29. News: Presentation of Credentials Ceremony . 1 July 2014 . . 19 November 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140714181826/http://www.mfa.com.sg/content/mfa/media_centre/press_room/pr/2012/201211/press_20121119_01.printable.html?status=1 . 14 July 2014 . dead.
  30. Web site: High Commissioner to Singapore - Mr Philip Green . Australian Ambassadors and other representatives . Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade . 15 December 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151225232945/http://dfat.gov.au/about-us/our-people/homs/Pages/high-commissioner-to-singapore.aspx . 25 December 2015.
  31. High Commissioner to Singapore. Australian Government. 30 September 2016. Julie. Bishop. Julie Bishop. https://web.archive.org/web/20161012065818/http://foreignminister.gov.au/releases/Pages/2016/jb_mr_160930.aspx. 12 October 2016. dead.
  32. Web site: High Commissioner to Singapore - Mr Bruce Gosper . Australian Ambassadors and other representatives . Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade . 15 December 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170616235836/http://dfat.gov.au/about-us/our-people/homs/Pages/high-commissioner-to-singapore.aspx . 16 June 2017.
  33. News: Payne . Marise . High Commissioner to Singapore . 15 December 2022 . Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government . 29 November 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201129221716/https://www.foreignminister.gov.au/minister/marise-payne/media-release/high-commissioner-singapore . 29 November 2020 . Media Release.
  34. Web site: 2020-11-29. Former Tasmanian premier appointed Australia's next high commissioner to Singapore. 2020-12-15. www.abc.net.au. en-AU.
  35. Web site: The Hon William Hodgman - Australian High Commissioner to Singapore. Australian High Commission Singapore. 5 May 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210225120808/https://singapore.embassy.gov.au/sing/HeadofMission.html. 25 February 2021. live.
  36. Web site: High Commissioner to Singapore - The Hon William Hodgman . Australian Ambassadors and other representatives . Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade . 15 December 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220813181242/https://www.dfat.gov.au/about-us/our-people/homs/high-commissioner-to-singapore . 13 August 2022.
  37. News: TRADE IN THE EAST. . . Queensland, Australia . 21 March 1922 . 18 July 2022 . 5. National Library of Australia.
  38. News: MR. E. T. SHEAF . The Daily Telegraph . New South Wales, Australia . 9 December 1924 . 18 July 2022 . 10 . National Library of Australia.
  39. News: EASTERN TRADE REPRESENTATIVE. . The Evening News . Rockhampton, Queensland. 21 January 1925 . 18 July 2022 . 7 . National Library of Australia.
  40. News: Interesting People . . 13 . 37 . Australia, Australia . 23 February 1946 . 18 July 2022 . 18 . National Library of Australia.
  41. Australian Representation Overseas . Current Notes on International Affairs . March 1946 . 17 . 3 . 130 . 17 July 2022.
  42. News: COMMISSIONER TO SINGAPORE. . . Adelaide . 4 January 1946 . 15 August 2015 . 7 . National Library of Australia.
  43. Australian Diplomatic Appointments . Current Notes on International Affairs . February 1956 . 27 . 2 . 92 . 6 November 2022 . Department of External Affairs.
  44. Australian Representation Overseas . Current Notes on International Affairs . April 1956 . 27 . 4 . 272 . 6 November 2022 . Department of External Affairs.
  45. Representation - Australian Representation Overseas . Current Notes on International Affairs . September 1957 . 28 . 9 . 752 . 6 November 2022 . Department of External Affairs.
  46. Singapore . Current Notes on International Affairs . November 1957 . 28 . 11 . 873 . 6 November 2022 . Department of External Affairs.
  47. Representation - Australian Representation Overseas . Current Notes on International Affairs . September 1960 . 31 . 9 . 522 . 6 November 2022 . Department of External Affairs.
  48. Australian Commissioner in Singapore . Current Notes on International Affairs . August 1960 . 31 . 8 . 415 . 6 November 2022 . Department of External Affairs.
  49. Representation - Australian Representation Overseas . Current Notes on International Affairs . November 1960 . 31 . 11 . 673 . 6 November 2022 . Department of External Affairs.
  50. Representation - Australian Representation Overseas . Current Notes on International Affairs . January-February 1963 . 34 . 1-2 . 80 . 6 November 2022 . Department of External Affairs.
  51. Representation - Australian Representation Overseas . Current Notes on International Affairs . April 1963 . 34 . 4 . 33 . 6 November 2022 . Department of External Affairs.

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