List of ambassadors of Australia to the United States explained

Post:Ambassador of Australia to the United States
Insignia:Coat of Arms of Australia.svg
Insigniasize:120px
Department:Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Reports To:Minister for Foreign Affairs
Incumbent:Kevin Rudd
Incumbentsince:20 March 2023
Residence:White Oaks, 3120 Cleveland Avenue, Washington DC
Seat:Embassy of Australia, Washington, D.C.
Nominator:Prime Minister of Australia
Style:His Excellency
Appointer:Governor General of Australia
Formation:1 March 1940
Inaugural:The Lord Casey
Website:Embassy of Australia

The ambassador of Australia to the United States is an officer of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the director of the Embassy of the Commonwealth of Australia to the United States of America. The embassy is located in Washington, D.C. It is Australia's third-oldest ambassadorial post, after the High Commissions in London (1910) and Ottawa (1939). The role has the rank and status of an ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary. The current ambassador, since March 2023, is Kevin Rudd.[1] [2] The ambassador's work is assisted by multiple consulates throughout the country that have visiting and reporting responsibilities, as well as consular and trade matters for the embassy.

Posting history

The United States and Australia have had official diplomatic relations since 1 March 1940, when Australia established a legation in Washington as one of its first independent postings. Prior to that, Australia had been represented by the British Embassy in Washington, either through a representative of the Australian government or simply by British officials on Australia's behalf. During 1929, Prime Minister Stanley Bruce appointed Herbert Brookes as "Commissioner-General to the United States", with a mandate to promote "Australian achievements in economic, musical, artistic, literary and intellectual fields". However, Brookes was recalled the next year by James Scullin (Bruce's successor), as a cost-saving measure during the Depression.[3] During 1937, Joseph Lyons (Scullin's successor) appointed Keith Officer as a liaison officer posted with the British Embassy, with the diplomatic rank of "Counsellor". Officer continued in the job until February 1940 when he became the charge d'Affaires, pending the arrival of Casey as the first Minister.[4]

First established as a legation directed by an Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary, on 19 July 1946 the diplomatic representative was promoted to embassy status and the Australian Minister, Frederic Eggleston became the first Ambassador. The job is seen as very desirable, and political appointees are regularly posted. Several distinguished Australians have served as Ambassador to the United States, including a former Prime Minister and Foreign Minister (Kevin Rudd), future Governor-General of Australia (Richard Casey), a future Chief Justice of Australia (Sir Owen Dixon), a future Governor of Tasmania (James Plimsoll), three former federal leaders of the opposition (Andrew Peacock, Kim Beazley and Rudd), and a former Treasurer of Australia (Joe Hockey).[5]

Office-holders

Commissioner/Commissioner-General

Ordinal Name Image Office Term start date Term end date Time in office Notes
Commissioner
[6]
Commissioner-General[7]

Counsellor/Charge d'Affaires

Ordinal Name Image Office Term start date Term end date Time in office Notes
Australian Counsellor, British Embassy
Charge d'Affaires, Australian Legation

Minister/Ambassador

Ordinal Name Image Office Term start date Term end date Time in office Notes
Minister
[8]
Ambassador
[9]
[10]
[11]
[12]
[13]
[14]
Chargé d'affaires
Ambassador[15]
[16]
Chargé d'affaires
Ambassador
Chargé d'affaires[17]
Ambassador[18]
[19]
[20]
[21]
[22] [23]
[24]
[25]
Incumbent[26]

Consulates

LocationOpenedConsulConsular district
Consulate-General, Chicago1971David BushbyIllinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin
Consulate-General, Honolulu1973Andrea GleasonHawaii, Guam, American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands, USPACOM
Consulate-General, Houston (Austrade)1982Benson SauloTexas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana
Consulate-General, New York1945Nick GreinerNew York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Vermont, Maine, New Hampshire, Ohio, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands.
Consulate-General, Los Angeles1971Jane DukeCalifornia (south of the 36N latitude), Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada (Clark County), Utah
Consulate-General, San Francisco (Austrade)1946Nick NichlesCalifornia (north of 36N latitude), Nevada (except Clark County), Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming
Honorary Consulate, Miami1999Don SlesnickFlorida[27] [28]
Honorary Consulate, Denver1994James WaddellColorado[29]

From 1993 to August 2012, there existed a Consulate-General in Atlanta, Georgia, which was managed by Austrade. The consulate's closure was due to a realignment of resources "to growing and emerging markets like Mongolia and Colombia." After its closure, the consulate's reporting responsibilities for the states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina and South Carolina were transferred to the Australian Embassy in Washington.[30] From 12 September 1994 to his death on 11 June 2017, there existed an Honorary Consulate in Denver, Colorado, held by Mark O'Regan, an Australian-born Denver realtor and former civil servant in the Territory of Papua New Guinea.[31] From 7 December 1999 to his death on 6 November 2013, the Honorary Consul in Miami, Florida, was Thomas Flynn.[32] Flynn was appointed as an Honorary Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his service as honorary consul in 2005.[33] From 2002 to approximately 2006, Len Reid was the Australian Honorary Consul in Seattle.[34] Reid is now Honorary Consul Emeritus.[35]

Consuls-General

Atlanta

The consulate-general was opened in 1993 under Austrade management. The consulate was closed in August 2012 following an Austrade restructure.

NameStart of termEnd of termReferences
Ian Wing14 September 1993May 1997[36]
Geoff Gray14 August 19972000
David Crook200022 November 2004[37] [38]
Amanda Hodges7 January 2005June 2009
Duncan ColeJune 200931 August 2012[39]

Chicago

Originally opened in 1971, the consulate-general was closed in 1993 due to budget constraints after being transferred to Austrade, but re-opened under DFAT in 2001.

NameStart of termEnd of termReferences
T. W. Collis19711974
F. B. Hall 19751978
D. C. Goss 19791980
B. B. Hickey19811985
Terry McCarthy19861987
Jeremy Hearder19881990[40]
Kevin Gates19916 August 1993
Consulate closed
Ron Harvey20012004[41]
Bob Charles20052008[42] [43]
Elizabeth SchickApril 2008April 2011
Roger PriceNovember 201131 March 2015[44]
Michael Wood1 April 201518 January 2019[45]
David Bushby18 January 2019date[46]

Honolulu

Originally opened as a Consulate in January 1973, the posting was upgraded to a Consulate-General on 26 March 1978.[47]

NameStart of termEnd of termReferences
David Wadham (Consul)January 1973June 1975[48]
William Rowe (Consul)June 197526 March 1978[49]
William Rowe 26 March 1978June 1979[50]
Brian MeadeJune 1979February 1983
Bill FisherFebruary 1983April 1987
Richard SmithApril 1987August 1989[51]
Robert TysonAugust 1989January 1993
Murray CobbanJanuary 1993October 1995
Colin McDonaldOctober 1995May 1998[52]
Peter WoolcottMay 1998July 2001[53]
Paul RobilliardJuly 2001September 2004[54]
John QuinnSeptember 2004August 2007[55]
David BinnsAugust 2007August 2011[56]
Scott DewarAugust 2011February 2015[57]
Jeff Robinson8 February 201522 December 2017
Jane Hardy22 December 201725 June 2021[58]
Andrea Gleason25 June 2021date[59]

Los Angeles

Originally a Trade Commission from 1965, the post was upgraded to a Consulate-General from 3 March 1971 and was closed during a period of budget cuts to Foreign Affairs on 1 July 1976. The consulate reopened in September 1978 and management was transferred from DFAT to Austrade in October 1992. DFAT resumed management from November 1999.

NameStart of termEnd of termReferences
A. I. Macrae (Trade Commissioner)19641966[60]
M. J. Long (Trade Commissioner)19673 March 1971
3 March 1971September 1975
Harold MarshallSeptember 19751 July 1976
Consulate closed
Peter BarbourSeptember 1978April 1981
John McLeay Jr.April 1981February 1984
Basil TeaseyFebruary 1984June 1988
John KelsoJune 1988October 1992
Colin HookOctober 1992May 1995
Robert O'DonovanJune 19951997
Michael Johnson1997November 1999
Allan RocherNovember 1999November 2002[61]
John OlsenNovember 2002September 2006[62]
Innes WilloxSeptember 2006March 2009[63]
March 2009July 2012[64]
Karen LanyonJuly 2012October 2015[65]
Chelsey Martin22 October 20152020[66] [67]
Jane Duke4 September 2020date[68]

San Francisco

Since 1993, the consulate-general has been managed by Austrade.[69]

NameStart of termEnd of termReferences
Edward SmartJuly 1946October 1949[70]
N. N. Frewin (acting)October 19491952
June 19521955
Melville Marshall May 19551960
December 19601963
Frederick Homer February 19631966
February 19661970[71]
April 19701974
John McCredie August 19741977
Geoffrey Brady August 19771982
Leslie Sellars November 19821983
John Melhuish May 19831986[72]
David Rutter October 19861990
David CharlesAugust 1990September 1993[73]
John Paul McCaffrey29 September 1993May 1995
Dr Joe Hlubucek25 May 19951998
Peter Lewis AM [74] July 1998October 2002
Peter Frank16 October 20022005
David Lawson2005June 2009
Nigel WarrenJune 2009June 2015
Sally-Ann WattsJune 2015October 2015
Chris OldfieldOctober 2015March 2019[75] [76]
Nick NichlesMarch 2019date[77]

See also

Further reading

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Shields. Bevan. Arthur Sinodinos to be appointed US ambassador. 26 May 2019. The Sydney Morning Herald. 31 March 2020. The Sydney Morning Herald.
  2. Web site: Greg Norman, Tony Abbott fly to US for Joe Hockey's farewell. 9News. 18 January 2020. 21 January 2020.
  3. [Alison Patrick (historian)|Alison Patrick]
  4. Kathleen Dermody, 'Officer, Sir Frank Keith (1889–1969)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/officer-sir-frank-keith-11289/text20145, published first in hardcopy 2000, accessed online 13 August 2017.
  5. News: Norington. Brad. New ambassador Kim Beazley meets Barack Obama from wheelchair. 17 June 2017. The Australian. 25 February 2010.
  6. E. A. . Beever . Elder, Sir James Alexander (1869–1946) . 8 . 1981 . elder-sir-james-alexander-6099 . 26 January 2018 .
  7. News: SIR HUGH DENISON. . . 27,571 . New South Wales, Australia . 18 May 1926 . 26 January 2018 . 10 . National Library of Australia.
  8. Warren . Osmond . eggleston-sir-frederic-william-344 . Eggleston, Sir Frederic William (1875 - 1954) . 1981 . 8 . 24 October 2022 .
  9. Web site: James Scullin: Key people . National Archives of Australia . Australia's Prime Ministers . 17 October 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170221114801/http://primeministers.naa.gov.au/primeministers/scullin/key-people.aspx . 21 February 2017 . live .
  10. D. . Lowe . Spender, Sir Percy Claude (1897–1989) . 2012 . spender-sir-percy-claude-15475 . 9 July 2013 .
  11. Web site: Hawke . Bob . Bob Hawke . Death of Honourable Sir Howard Beale, KBE, QC . . . 18 October 1983 . 30 September 2007 .
  12. Fewster . Alan . waller-sir-john-keith-27590 . Waller, Sir John Keith (1914–1992) . 2021 . 19 . 24 October 2022 .
  13. plimsoll-sir-james-15471 . 2012 . 18 . Plimsoll, Sir James (1917–1987) . Jeremy . Hearder. Jeremy Hearder . 24 October 2022.
  14. shaw-sir-patrick-11667 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150209234629/http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/shaw-sir-patrick-11667 . 9 February 2015 . Shaw, Sir Patrick (1913–1975) . 2002 . 16 . David. Lee . 24 October 2022 .
  15. News: OBITUARY - A diplomat held in great affection. Peter. Henderson. Peter Henderson (Australian public servant). 21 September 2001. The Canberra Times. 15. Fairfax Media.
  16. News: Straight-talker in diplomatic ranks. Hogue. Cavan. 29 May 2008. The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. 24 March 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140324084454/http://www.smh.com.au/news/obituaries/straighttalker-in-diplomatic-ranks/2008/05/28/1211654116394.html?page=fullpage.
  17. Mitcham, Chad J., ‘Price, Geoffrey John (1930-1999’, Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/price-geoffrey-john-32557, published online 2023
  18. News: Robert Cotton, 1915–2006 . . 4 January 2007 . 5 January 2007 .
  19. News: Walters, Patrick . THINKING MAN'S SPY TO GET US POSTING . Financial Review . 20 September 1998 . 24 October 2022 .
  20. News: Leading economic strategist and former US Ambassador named head of State Development Department. Jack. Baldwin. 30 June 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140921011952/http://www.theleadsouthaustralia.com.au/industries/research-development/leading-economic-strategist-and-former-us-ambassador-named-head-of-state-development-department/. 21 September 2014. The Lead.
  21. News: Aussie diplomat makes U.S. road trip. The Washington Times. 1 July 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20121019045350/http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/jul/01/you-might-think-a-top-washington-diplomat-only-pic/. 19 October 2012. live.
  22. News: Harvey, Ben . King of the Hill . The West Australian

    West Business Insider

    . February 2014 . 6–8 .
  23. News: Mr Beazley goes to Washington . . Australia . Australian Broadcasting Corporation . 17 September 2009 .
  24. News: Joe Hockey appointed to US ambassador post. . Australia . Australian Broadcasting Corporation . 8 December 2015 .
  25. Web site: A new ambassador in Washington. The Lowy Institute. The Interpreter. 31 January 2020. 10 February 2020.
  26. News: Evans . Jake . 20 December 2022 . Former prime minister Kevin Rudd posted to Washington as Australia's new US ambassador . . 2022-12-20.
  27. Web site: Don Slesnick . COLLEGE OF SOCIAL SCIENCES AND PUBLIC POLICY . Florida State University . 2 April 2022.
  28. News: Fallon . Maria . New Honorary Australian Consulate Miami opens with ribbon cutting . 2 April 2022 . Miami's Community News . 3 September 2014.
  29. Web site: Honorary Consul James Waddell . Consular Corps Colorado . 2 April 2022.
  30. News: Gartrell. Adam. Australia's consulate in Atlanta closes. 20 June 2017. News.com.au. 2 August 2012.
  31. News: Obituary: Mark V. O'Regan. 24 June 2017. The Denver Post. 11 June 2017.
  32. News: Obituary: THOMAS EDWARD FLYNN. 24 June 2017. The Miami Herald. 10 November 2013.
  33. Web site: FLYNN, Thomas Edward - Member of the Order of Australia. It's an Honour. Australian Government. 24 June 2017. 19 April 2005. For service to the Australian Government as the Honorary Consul for Miami, Florida..
  34. Web site: Embassy of Australia in Washington, DC, USA .
  35. Web site: Anzac Day Seattle. Australia in the USA.
  36. News: Pierson. Mark. Australia's Wing, Consul General Here, Heading for Tokyo. 24 June 2017. Global Atlanta. 13 May 1997.
  37. News: Australian Dean of Consular Corps Here Going Home Nov. 22. 24 June 2017. Global Atlanta. 29 October 2004.
  38. News: Australia's Consul Hopes for U.S. Free Trade Agreement. 24 June 2017. Global Atlanta. 5 August 2003.
  39. News: Williams. Trevor. Australia to Close Atlanta Consulate, Trade Office. 24 June 2017. Global Atlanta. 26 July 2012.
  40. News: New consul-general. 26 May 1988. 3. The Canberra Times.
  41. Diplomatic appointment: Consul-General in Chicago. https://web.archive.org/web/20140212022455/http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2001/fa079_01.html. 12 February 2014. 13 June 2001. Australian Government. Alexander. Downer. Alexander Downer.
  42. Diplomatic Appointment: Consul-General in Chicago. https://web.archive.org/web/20140212012829/http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2004/fa182_04.html. 12 February 2014. Australian Government. Alexander. Downer. Alexander Downer. 18 December 2004.
  43. News: Howard awards plum post to Liberal mate. Jason. Koutsoukis. 18 December 2004. Fairfax Media. The Age. https://web.archive.org/web/20121105194905/http://www.theage.com.au/news/National/Howard-awards-plum-post-to-Liberal-mate/2004/12/17/1102787276368.html. 5 November 2012.
  44. Diplomatic Appointment — Consul-General in Chicago. https://web.archive.org/web/20150329013158/http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/Pages/2011/kr_mr_110913b.aspx?ministerid=2. 29 March 2015. Craig. Emerson. Craig Emerson. Australian Government. 13 September 2011.
  45. Consul-General in Chicago. 16 March 2015. Julie. Bishop. Australian Government.
  46. Consul-General Chicago. Marise. Payne. Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government. 18 January 2019.
  47. News: Consulate . The Canberra Times . 47 . 13,238 . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 26 September 1972 . 24 June 2017 . 8 . National Library of Australia.
  48. News: Precedent set by diplomatic posting . The Canberra Times . 47 . 13,271 . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 3 November 1972 . 24 June 2017 . 9 . National Library of Australia.
  49. News: VICE-REGAL . The Canberra Times . 52 . 15,530 . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 10 March 1978 . 24 June 2017 . 2 . National Library of Australia.
  50. News: Diplomatic appointments . The Canberra Times. 59 . 18,075 . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 25 March 1985 . 24 June 2017 . 3 . National Library of Australia.
  51. News: VICE-REGAL . The Canberra Times . 61 . 18,828 . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 22 April 1987 . 24 June 2017 . 2 . National Library of Australia.
  52. AUSTRALIAN Consul-General in Honolulu. Bob. McMullan. Australian Government. 12 July 1995.
  53. Diplomatic Appointment: Consul-General in Honolulu. Alexander. Downer. Australian Government. 24 March 1998.
  54. Diplomatic Appointment: Consul-General in Honolulu. Alexander. Downer. Australian Government. 8 February 2001.
  55. Diplomatic Appointment: Consul-General in Honolulu. Alexander. Downer. Australian Government. 28 May 2004.
  56. Diplomatic Appointment: Consul-General in Honolulu. Alexander. Downer. Australian Government. 18 June 2007.
  57. Diplomatic appointment - New Consul-General in Honolulu. Kevin. Rudd. Australian Government. 30 July 2011.
  58. Consul-General in Honolulu. 22 December 2017. Julie. Bishop. Australian Government.
  59. Consul-General in Honolulu. 25 June 2021. Marise. Payne. Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government.
  60. Book: Emissaries of Trade: a history of Australian trade Commissioner Service. Boris Schedvin. 2008.
  61. Changes in Australia's Overseas Representation. Alexander. Downer. Australian Government. 7 August 1999.
  62. Diplomatic appointment: Consul-General in Los Angeles. Alexander. Downer. Australian Government. 3 June 2002.
  63. Diplomatic appointment: Consul-General in Los Angeles. Alexander. Downer. Australian Government. 24 August 2006.
  64. Diplomatic appointment: Consul-General in Los Angeles. Stephen. Smith. Australian Government. 24 February 2009.
  65. Diplomatic appointment: Consul-General in Los Angeles. Bob. Carr. Australian Government. 29 April 2012.
  66. Consul-General in Los Angeles. Julie. Bishop. Julie Bishop. Australian Government. 22 October 2015.
  67. Web site: 2020-07-20. Joe Hockey poaches US consul-general Chelsey Martin. 2021-03-04. Australian Financial Review. en.
  68. Consul-General in Los Angeles. Marise. Payne. Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government. 4 September 2020.
  69. Web site: ParlInfo - QUESTIONS ON NOTICE: Australian Consulate-General: Chicago. Parliament of Australia. 17 June 2017. House Hansard. 27 June 2001.
  70. http://content.cdlib.org/view?docId=tf338n99v6&chunk.id=c038748 Guide to the San Francisco News
  71. News: The Truscotts get ready to disperse. 18. 15 January 1969. The Canberra Times.
  72. Hayden . Bill . Consul-General in San Francisco . Australian Foreign Affairs Record . April 1983 . 54 . 4 . 154 . 23 October 2022.
  73. News: Magnier. Mark. Crisis in the Middle East Could Cost Australia Dearly. 17 June 2017. The Journal of Commerce. 27 August 1990.
  74. Web site: Member of the Order of Australia. Australian Government Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
  75. News: Hanson. Roger. Tasmanian Irrigation chief appointed Senior Trade Commissioner and Consul General to San Francisco. 17 June 2017. The Mercury. 28 October 2015.
  76. Senior Trade Appointments to Houston and San Francisco. Andrew. Robb. Andrew Robb. Australian Government. 28 October 2015.
  77. Consul-General and Senior Trade Commissioner San Francisco. Marise. Payne. Australian Government. 22 March 2019.