Ambassador for Counter-Terrorism

Today I announce the appointment of Mr Paul Foley PSM as Australia's next Ambassador for Counter-Terrorism, based in Canberra.

As terrorism continues to generate instability and suffering around the globe, Australia remains resolutely committed to working with the global community to counter violent extremism.

As Ambassador, Mr Foley will be responsible for leading Australia's international engagement on counter-terrorism and will represent Australia at multilateral fora including the United Nations, the Global Counter-Terrorism Forum and the working groups of the Anti-ISIL coalition.

Mr Foley will also sit on the Commonwealth Joint Counter Terrorism Board, the Australia-New Zealand Counter-Terrorism Committee and the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund.

Mr Foley is a senior career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and most recently served as Ambassador to Iran. He has also served as Ambassador to Afghanistan and to Timor-Leste.

In Canberra, Mr Foley has led the Counter Terrorism; Middle East and Africa; and Information Management branches.

Mr Foley holds a Bachelor of Economics from Monash University and a Graduate Diploma in Strategic Studies from the Joint Services Staff College. Mr Foley received the Public Service Medal in June 2013 for his role as Ambassador to Afghanistan.