List of ambassadors of Australia to Germany explained

Post:Ambassador of Australia to Germany
Insignia:Coat of Arms of Australia.svg
Insigniasize:120px
Department:Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Reports To:Minister for Foreign Affairs
Incumbent:Natasha Smith
Seat:Bonn (1952–1999)
Berlin (Since 1999)
Residence:Douglasstraße, Berlin-Grunewald
Nominator:Prime Minister of Australia
Style:Her Excellency
Appointer:Governor General of Australia
Formation:28 January 1952
Inaugural:Noël Deschamps
(as Chargé d'Affaires)
Website:Australian Embassy, Germany

The ambassador of Australia to Germany 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 Federal Republic of Germany. The position has the rank and status of an ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary and formerly held non-resident accreditation for Switzerland (1993–2022) and Liechtenstein (1999–2022), until the establishment of a resident Australian Embassy in Berne on 22 November 2022. Since 1986 there has also been a Consulate-General in Frankfurt am Main, the German financial capital, which is managed by Austrade. The current ambassador since March 2024 is Natasha Smith.

Posting history

Early representation and the Military Mission in Berlin

Immediately prior to the end of the war in Europe on 8 May 1945, on 15 March 1945 the Australian Cabinet recommended the appointment of an Australian Military Mission to the Allied Control Council for Germany and Austria, to consist of one representative from each of the armed services and a political adviser.[1] On 3 October 1945, Brigadier Tom Warren White was appointed Head of the Australian Military Mission in Berlin, and career diplomat with the Department of External Affairs, J. D. L. Hood, was appointed political advisor, taking up office on 15 December 1945.[2] [3] On 1 January 1948, the Department of External Affairs took over responsibility for the mission in Berlin from the Department of Defence, and Brigadier White was succeeded by Brigadier Frederick Galleghan on 23 January 1948. On 17 November 1949, a career diplomat, Noël Deschamps, was appointed as the acting head of the military mission, and in May 1950 a new office of the Australian Mission was established in the city of Bonn, the provisional capital of the federal republic, with accreditation to the Allied High Commission for occupied Germany.[1]

Deschamps continued to serve as acting head of the Bonn Mission, and then as Chargé d'Affaires from 28 January 1952, when the Bonn mission was upgraded to the status of embassy.[1] With the appointment of J. D. L. Hood as Australia's first Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany in April 1952, Hood would also hold office as the Head of the Australian Military Mission in Berlin, with a Deputy Head of Mission being resident in Berlin from 1955.[1] This situation continued, including also holding office as Consul-General in the city from 16 January 1972, until the post was scaled down on 15 September 1976 and the Berlin mission was closed on 30 April 1987.[4] [1]

Embassy in Bonn, 1952–1999

On 28 January 1952, the Minister for External Affairs, Richard Casey, announced that the Australian Mission in Bonn would be upgraded to the status of embassy and that formal diplomatic relations would be established with the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany), noting that this action "reflected the extent to which Western Germany, in close association with the United Kingdom, the United States and other free nations on the Continent, is co-operating in maintaining stability in Europe. Future developments in Germany would have a significant influence on world peace, and it was desirable that Australia should be adequately represented there."[5] On 8 April 1952, the appointment of J. D. L. Hood as Australia's first Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany was announced.[6]

In 1964, an office of the Australian Trade Commission and Consulate was opened in the city of Hamburg, with the first Trade Commissioner and Consul, Terence Cronin, having responsibility for "trade inquiries for Australian foodstuffs and manufactures, ... to assist in the preparation of commodity surveys, organise trade fairs as allocated by [the embassy in] Bonn, and report directly to Canberra on shipping and warehousing that might affect Australian trading interests", as well as being appointed as consul in the city to assist the embassy. Upgraded to a consulate-general in 1968, the Hamburg post was closed in 1979.[7] [8] In 1986 the Trade Commission moved its operations from the embassy in Bonn to a new office and consulate-general in the city of Frankfurt am Main, the German financial capital.[9] [10]

From 1974 to 1993 there was an embassy in Berne, Switzerland. In January 1993 the Berne embassy was closed and non-resident accreditation was transferred to the Australian Embassy in Bonn.[11]

Embassy to the German Democratic Republic, 1973–1990

On 22 December 1972, Australia and the German Democratic Republic (East Germany) formally established diplomatic relations, coming at a time of a more pragmatic Australian foreign policy under the direction of Prime Minister Gough Whitlam and Foreign Minister Don Willesee, with Whitlam noting: "Apart from facilitating trade in both directions, Australian recognition of East Germany would, when agreement is reached, make people in Europe more aware that there is a new government in Australia which is not concentrating on South-East Asia and the Pacific to the exclusion of our highly important relations with Europe."[12] On 15 June 1973, it was announced that the incoming resident ambassador to Poland, Francis Hamilton Stuart, would receive non-resident accreditation as the first Australian ambassador to East Germany.[13] In September 1974, however, it was announced by foreign minister Willesee that an Australian Embassy would be established in East Germany, which was achieved in March 1975, with the first resident ambassador, Malcolm Morris, presenting his credentials on 10 December 1975.[14] [15]

Budget cuts to the Department of Foreign Affairs by the government of Bob Hawke prompted the closure of the GDR Embassy on 19 December 1986, with non-resident accreditation returning to the Ambassador resident in Warsaw until the reunification of Germany on 3 October 1990, when a Consulate-General was opened in the unified city of Berlin.[16]

Embassy in Berlin, since 1999

With the unification of Germany in 1990, a new Consulate-General with resident representation was established in Berlin on 11 October 1990, with David Charles appointed as consul-general.[17] Charles was succeeded in October 1993 by Margaret Adamson, who served until 1996.[18] In order to facilitate the move to the new capital of Berlin, in 1995 the Australian Government purchased two historic buildings for the new embassy chancery, on Wallstraße and Markisches Ufer in Mitte, Berlin, which was opened on 17 August 1999.[19] A newly-built ambassador's residence, in Grunewald, Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf, was designed by Daryl Jackson Pty Ltd and completed in 1998.[20]

In 2012 Australia and Germany celebrated 60 years of diplomatic relations.[21] In November 2022, a resident embassy in Berne, Switzerland, was reopened and accreditation for Switzerland and Liechtenstein were transferred there.[22] [23]

Heads of mission

Ambassadors to the Federal Republic of Germany

Officeholder Other offices Residency Term start date Term end date Time in office Notes
– (Chargé d'Affaires)Bonn[24]
[25] [26]
[27] [28]
– (Chargé d'Affaires)[29]
[30] [31] [32] [33]
– (Chargé d'Affaires)[34]
[35] [36] [37]
–David Goss (Chargé d'Affaires)[38]
[39] [40]
[41] [42] [43]
[44]
Max Loveday[45] [46]
Robin Ashwin[47] [48]
Ray GreetN/A[49]
John Bowan[50]
[51]
[52]
Berlin
[53]
[54]
[55]
[56] [57]
[58] [59] [60]
30 June 2023[61] [62]
–Kate Luxford (Chargé d'Affaires)20 March 2024align=right
Natasha Smith––[63]

Notes

Also Head of the Australian Military Mission in Berlin, 1949–1987.

Also non-resident Ambassador to the Swiss Confederation, 1993–2022.

Also non-resident Ambassador to the Principality of Liechtenstein, 1999–2022.

Resident Heads of the Australian Military Mission, Berlin, 1945–1987

Officeholder Title Term start date Term end date Time in office Notes
Head
[64]
Acting Head[65] [66]
Ambassador and Head[67]
Acting Head
Deputy Head
H. Douglas White [68]
[69]
Thomas Holland[70]
David Goss[71]
Philip Peters
John Hoyle
Kieran DesmondDeputy Head and Consul-General
Stuart Hume
Head of Mission held by Ambassador in Bonn, 1952–1987.

Ambassadors to the German Democratic Republic, 1973–1990

Officeholder Residency Term start date Term end date Time in office Notes
Warsaw, Poland[72]
–Philip Frederic Peters (Chargé d'Affaires)East Berlin
Arthur Malcolm Morris [73]
–David Goss (Chargé d'Affaires)
John Daniel McCredie [74] [75]
–J. F. Godfrey (Chargé d'Affaires)
Tony Vincent[76]
Donald William Witheford
Max HughesWarsaw, Poland
Wilson Lawry Herron

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. NAA: Agency Details – CA 8069: Australian Military Mission to Allied Control Council for Germany and Austria/Allied High Commission/Federal Republic of Germany [West Berlin], National Archives of Australia, accessed 29 December 2022.
  2. News: Military Mission for Germany . . New South Wales, Australia . 31 October 1945 . 29 December 2022 . 4 . National Library of Australia.
  3. News: MILITARY MISSION TO BERLIN . The Canberra Times . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 31 October 1945 . 29 December 2022 . 2 . National Library of Australia.
  4. Australian Mission in Berlin . Current Notes on International Affairs . January 1972 . 43 . 1 . 26 . 30 December 2022 . Department of Foreign Affairs . National Library of Australia (Trove).
  5. Casey . Richard . Relations with the Federal Republic of Germany . Current Notes on International Affairs . January 1952 . 23 . 1 . 51 . 29 December 2022 . Department of External Affairs . National Library of Australia (Trove).
  6. Appointment of Australian Ambassador to Germany . Current Notes on International Affairs . April 1952 . 23 . 4 . 192 . 29 December 2022 . Department of External Affairs . National Library of Australia (Trove).
  7. Book: Schevdin . Boris . Emissaries of trade: a history of the Australian trade commissioner service . 2008 . Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade . Barton, ACT . 202–203 . 30 December 2022.
  8. NAA: Agency details for: CA 4077 – Australian Government Trade Commissioner, Hamburg [Federal Republic of Germany], National Archives of Australia, accessed 30 December 2022.
  9. News: Austrade re-deploys overseas resources to match exporters' needs . 30 December 2022 . Australian Trade Commission (Austrade) . 17 October 1986 . ParlInfo . Media Release.
  10. News: Highly experienced Senior Trade Commissioner to head Frankfurt post . 30 December 2022 . Australian Trade Commission (Austrade) . 29 February 1988 . ParlInfo . Media Release.
  11. NAA: Agency details for: CA 8037 – Australian Embassy, Berne [Switzerland], National Archives of Australia, accessed 30 December 2022.
  12. Diplomatic Relations with the GDR . Current Notes on International Affairs . December 1972 . 43 . 12 . 629–630 . 29 December 2022 . Department of Foreign Affairs . National Library of Australia (Trove).
  13. Ambassador to the GDR . Australian Foreign Affairs Record . June 1973 . 44 . 6 . 425 . 29 December 2022 . Department of Foreign Affairs . National Library of Australia (Trove).
  14. Establishment of Embassy in the German Democratic Republic . Australian Foreign Affairs Record . September 1974 . 45 . 9 . 616–617 . 29 December 2022 . Department of Foreign Affairs . National Library of Australia (Trove).
  15. Ambassador to the German Democratic Republic . Australian Foreign Affairs Record . September 1975 . 46 . 9 . 535 . 29 December 2022 . Department of Foreign Affairs . National Library of Australia (Trove).
  16. NAA: Agency details for: CA 4407 - Australian Embassy, German Democratic Republic [East Berlin], National Archives of Australia, accessed 30 December 2022.
  17. NAA: Agency details for: CA 8011 – Australian Embassy, Germany [Berlin], National Archives of Australia, received 30 December 2022.
  18. News: Evans . Gareth . Diplomatic appointment: Berlin . 30 December 2022 . Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government . 2 August 1993 . ParlInfo . Media Release.
  19. News: Fahey . John . New Berlin Chancery . 30 December 2022 . Minister for Finance and Administration . 17 February 1999 . ParlInfo . Media Release.
  20. News: Jull . David . Commonwealth selects architect to design ambassador's new Berlin residence . 30 December 2022 . Federal Minister for Administrative Services . 11 April 1997 . ParlInfo . Media Release.
  21. Web site: Australia and Germany celebrate 60 years of diplomatic relations in 2012. Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. 8 May 2015.
  22. News: Wong . Penny . Ambassador to Switzerland . 30 December 2022 . Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government . 20 November 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221120100711/https://www.foreignminister.gov.au/minister/penny-wong/media-release/ambassador-switzerland . 20 November 2022 . Media Release.
  23. News: Wong . Penny . Farrell . Don . Opening of Australian Embassy in Bern, Switzerland . 30 December 2022 . Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government . 9 December 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221218115249/https://www.foreignminister.gov.au/minister/penny-wong/media-release/opening-australian-embassy-bern-switzerland . 18 December 2022 . Media Release.
  24. Australian Representation Overseas . Current Notes on International Affairs . January 1952 . 23 . 1 . 57 . 29 December 2022 . Department of External Affairs . National Library of Australia (Trove).
  25. News: MR. J. D. L. HOOD FOR W. GERMANY . The Canberra Times . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 10 April 1952 . 29 December 2022 . 4 . National Library of Australia.
  26. News: PERSONAL . The West Australian . Western Australia . 15 April 1952 . 29 December 2022 . 3 . National Library of Australia.
  27. Casey . Richard . Federal Republic of Germany . Current Notes on International Affairs . May 1956 . 27 . 5 . 306 . 29 December 2022 . Department of External Affairs . National Library of Australia (Trove).
  28. Australian Representation Overseas . Current Notes on International Affairs . June 1956 . 27 . 6 . 386 . 29 December 2022 . Department of External Affairs . National Library of Australia (Trove).
  29. Australian Representation Overseas . Current Notes on International Affairs . December 1959 . 30 . 12 . 696 . 29 December 2022 . Department of External Affairs . National Library of Australia (Trove).
  30. Australian Ambassador to Germany . Current Notes on International Affairs . November 1959 . 30 . 11 . 618 . 29 December 2022 . Department of External Affairs . National Library of Australia (Trove).
  31. Australian Representation Overseas . Current Notes on International Affairs . April 1960 . 31 . 4 . 201 . 29 December 2022 . Department of External Affairs . National Library of Australia (Trove).
  32. Image: Dr Lübke, President of the German Federal Republic, and Sir Alan Watt in conversation after Sir Alan had presented his credentials as Australian Ambassador, 26th April, 1960. . Current Notes on International Affairs . May 1960 . 31 . 5 . 238 . 29 December 2022 . Department of External Affairs . National Library of Australia (Trove).
  33. Retirement of Sir Alan Watt . Current Notes on International Affairs . March 1962 . 33 . 3 . 57 . 29 December 2022 . Department of External Affairs . National Library of Australia (Trove).
  34. Australian Representation Overseas . Current Notes on International Affairs . March 1962 . 33 . 3 . 56 . 29 December 2022 . Department of External Affairs . National Library of Australia (Trove).
  35. Australian Representation Overseas - Germany . Current Notes on International Affairs . April 1962 . 33 . 4 . 41 . 29 December 2022 . Department of External Affairs . National Library of Australia (Trove).
  36. Australian Representation Overseas . Current Notes on International Affairs . September 1962 . 33 . 9 . 74 . 29 December 2022 . Department of External Affairs . National Library of Australia (Trove).
  37. Image: The Australian Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany, Mr F. J. Blakeney, presenting his credentials to the President of the Federal Council, Dr Hans Ehard. . Current Notes on International Affairs . October 1962 . 33 . 10 . 96 . 29 December 2022 . Department of External Affairs . National Library of Australia (Trove).
  38. Australian Representation Overseas . Current Notes on International Affairs . July 1968 . 39 . 7 . 314 . 29 December 2022 . Department of External Affairs . National Library of Australia (Trove).
  39. News: New envoy named . The Canberra Times . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 3 June 1968 . 29 December 2022 . 3 . National Library of Australia.
  40. Australian Representation Overseas . Current Notes on International Affairs . August 1968 . 39 . 8 . 358 . 29 December 2022 . Department of External Affairs . National Library of Australia (Trove).
  41. News: Envoy to Germany named . The Canberra Times . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 4 June 1971 . 30 December 2022 . 3 . National Library of Australia.
  42. Australian Representation Overseas . Current Notes on International Affairs . September 1971 . 42 . 9 . 517 . 29 December 2022 . Department of Foreign Affairs . National Library of Australia (Trove).
  43. News: Bury . Leslie . Ambassador to Germany . 30 December 2022 . Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government . 3 June 1971 . ParlInfo . Media Release.
  44. News: Willesee . Don . Appointment of new ambassadors in Bonn and the United Nations . 30 December 2022 . Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government . 25 October 1974 . ParlInfo . Media Release.
  45. News: Top-ranking envoy for NZ post. Bruce. Juddery. Bruce Juddery. 20 July 1977. 10. The Canberra Times. ACT.
  46. News: Peacock . Andrew . Diplomatic appointments . 30 December 2022 . Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government . 19 July 1977 . ParlInfo . Media Release.
  47. News: Street . Tony . Diplomatic appointment: Federal Republic of Germany . 30 December 2022 . Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government . 9 June 1982 . ParlInfo . Media Release.
  48. Australian Representation Overseas . Australian Foreign Affairs Record . November 1982 . 53 . 11 . 748 . 30 December 2022 . Department of Foreign Affairs . National Library of Australia (Trove).
  49. Ambassador to Federal Republic of Germany identifier . Australian Foreign Affairs Record . March 1987 . 58 . 3 . 170–171 . 30 December 2022 . Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade . National Library of Australia (Trove).
  50. News: Evans . Gareth . New diplomatic appointments in Germany . 30 December 2022 . Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government . 25 May 1990 . ParlInfo . Media Release.
  51. News: Evans . Gareth . Diplomatic appointment: Federal Republic of Germany . 30 December 2022 . Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government . 22 September 1994 . ParlInfo . Media Release.
  52. Diplomatic Appointment: Ambassador To Germany. https://web.archive.org/web/20160303172042/http://foreignminister.gov.au/releases/1999/fa010_99.html. 3 March 2016. Alexander. Downer. Alexander Downer. Australian Government. 2 February 1999.
  53. Diplomatic Appointment: Ambassador to Germany. Australian Government. Alexander. Downer. Alexander Downer. 14 November 2002. https://web.archive.org/web/20140212020342/http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2002/fa168_02.html. 12 February 2014.
  54. Diplomatic Appointment: Ambassador To Germany . Alexander. Downer. Alexander Downer. 9 February 2006. https://web.archive.org/web/20150413093540/http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2006/fa016_06.html. 13 April 2015. Australian Government.
  55. Diplomatic Appointment - Ambassador to Germany. Stephen. Smith. Stephen Smith (Australian politician). 24 August 2009. Australian Government. https://web.archive.org/web/20160305071752/http://foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2009/fa-s090824d.html. 5 March 2016.
  56. News: Ambassador to Germany. Australian Government. Julie. Bishop. Julie Bishop. 24 October 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20150405051759/http://foreignminister.gov.au/releases/Pages/2013/jb_mr_131024.aspx?ministerid=4. 5 April 2015.
  57. Web site: New Ambassador - DAVID JAMES RITCHIE AO Ambassador of Australia. Business & Diplomacy. 8 May 2015. 4 March 2015.
  58. News: Ambassador to Germany. https://web.archive.org/web/20160827190103/http://foreignminister.gov.au/releases/Pages/2016/jb_mr_160826.aspx. Australian Government. Julie. Bishop. Julie Bishop. 26 August 2016. 27 August 2016.
  59. News: Senior Appointments: Wood to Germany. PS News. 30 August 2016. 519.
  60. Web site: 2020-10-22. Ambassador to Germany. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20201203003459/https://www.foreignminister.gov.au/minister/marise-payne/media-release/ambassador-germany. 2020-12-03. 2021-03-07. Minister for Foreign Affairs.
  61. News: Payne . Marise . Ambassador to Germany . 30 December 2022 . Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government . 22 October 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201203003459/https://www.foreignminister.gov.au/minister/marise-payne/media-release/ambassador-germany . 3 December 2020 . Media Release.
  62. Web site: Akkreditierung von Botschafterinnen und Botschaftern . Der Bundespräsident . Bundespräsidialamt . 30 December 2022 . 11 November 2020.
  63. News: Smith . Natasha . 20 March 2024 . Akkreditierung von Botschafterinnen und Botschaftern . 2 April 2024 . Der Bundespräsident, Bundesrepublik Deutschland . Media Release .
  64. Australian Representation Overseas . Current Notes on International Affairs . January 1948 . 19 . 1 . 42 . 29 December 2022 . Department of External Affairs . National Library of Australia (Trove).
  65. Australian Representation Overseas . Current Notes on International Affairs . September 1949 . 20 . 9 . 1021 . 29 December 2022 . Department of External Affairs . National Library of Australia (Trove).
  66. Australian Representation Overseas . Current Notes on International Affairs . December 1949 . 20 . 12 . 1258 . 29 December 2022 . Department of External Affairs . National Library of Australia (Trove).
  67. Australian Representation in Berlin . Current Notes on International Affairs . June 1953 . 24 . 6 . 339 . 29 December 2022 . Department of External Affairs . National Library of Australia (Trove).
  68. Australian Representation Overseas . Current Notes on International Affairs . June 1958 . 29 . 6 . 387 . 30 December 2022 . Department of External Affairs . National Library of Australia (Trove).
  69. Australian Representation Overseas . Current Notes on International Affairs . March 1961 . 32 . 3 . 69 . 30 December 2022 . Department of External Affairs . National Library of Australia (Trove).
  70. Australian Representation Overseas . Current Notes on International Affairs . August 1962 . 33 . 8 . 96 . 30 December 2022 . Department of External Affairs . National Library of Australia (Trove).
  71. Australian Representation Overseas . Current Notes on International Affairs . February 1965 . 36 . 2 . 107 . 30 December 2022 . Department of External Affairs . National Library of Australia (Trove).
  72. Australian Representation Overseas . Australian Foreign Affairs Record . October 1873 . 44 . 10 . 731 . 29 December 2022 . Department of Foreign Affairs . National Library of Australia (Trove).
  73. Australian Representation Overseas . Australian Foreign Affairs Record . December 1975 . 46 . 12 . 717 . 29 December 2022 . Department of Foreign Affairs . National Library of Australia (Trove).
  74. Diplomatic Appointments . Australian Foreign Affairs Record . June 1980 . 51 . 6 . 224 . 29 December 2022 . Department of Foreign Affairs . National Library of Australia (Trove).
  75. Australian Representation Overseas . Australian Foreign Affairs Record . August 1980 . 51 . 8 . 312 . 29 December 2022 . Department of Foreign Affairs . National Library of Australia (Trove).
  76. News: Hayden . Bill . Diplomatic appointment: German Democratic Republic . 30 December 2022 . Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government . 11 March 1984 . ParlInfo . Media Release.

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