Australia-Japan Foundation Board appointments

  • Media release

Today I announce the appointment of Mr Mark Connors and Mr Chris Sainesto the Board of the Australia-Japan Foundation (AJF). The new memberswill join existing board members, Mr Peter Cleary, Dr Bronwyn Evans, Ms DebraHazelton, Professor Veronica Taylor and Mr Murray McLean AO whose appointmentas the AJF Chair has been extended for a further three years.

Mr Connors is the Queensland State Manager for FIIG Securities. Heis a former Wallabies international rugby union player and currently serves asa non-executive director on the Queensland Rugby Union Board.

Mr Saines is the Director of the Queensland Art Gallery & Gallery ofModern Art, which hosts a flagship exhibition series, the Asia PacificTriennial of Contemporary Art. Mr Saines has a keen interest in promotingAustralian excellence and talent in the arts.

Japan is Australia's closest strategic partner in Asia. With two-waytrade worth around $70 billion in 2015, Japan is our second largest tradingpartner. It is also the second largest source of foreign direct investment intoAustralia.

The Australia-Japan Foundation brings together eminent Australians whoprovide a range of expertise and input to the Australian Government on furtherstrengthening our cooperation with Japan. This is critical to advancingAustralia's interests in this stable and prosperous region.

I thank outgoing board members, the Hon Richard Court AC, now AustralianAmbassador to Japan, and Associate Professor Doug Hall AM for their commitmentand dedication during their time on the AJF board.

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