Consul-General in Chicago

Today I announce the appointment of Mr Michael Wood as Australia's next Consul-General in Chicago.

The Australian Consulate-General works to strengthen Australia's economic, political and cultural relationships in Chicago and the Midwest region of the United States a major centre of international business and global finance, and a manufacturing and agricultural hub.

Mr Wood will work closely with Australian business to pursue two-way trade and investment by promoting the strengths of Australia's economy, our regulatory settings and the value of our thriving economic relationship with the United States.

An important role of the Consulate-General is to provide consular and passport services to Australians who live in and visit Chicago and the Midwest. Mr Wood will work on raising the profile of Australia and the region's awareness of Indo-Pacific issues, through engagement with media, academic and cultural institutions.

Mr Wood is a career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. He is currently Director of the DFAT Western Australian State Office. In Canberra, Mr Wood has worked on consular policy, Japan, ASEAN and global finance issues. Overseas, Mr Wood has served as Consul at the Australian post in Hong Kong and Deputy Head of Mission of the High Commission in Singapore, with earlier postings in India and Mexico. Mr Wood holds a Bachelor of Arts degree (Honours) from the University of Western Australia and a Graduate Diploma (International Finance) from the Australian Securities Institute. He speaks Spanish and French.

Mr Wood is expected to take up his appointment in April 2015.

I thank the previous Consul-General, Mr Roger Price, for his work to strengthen Australia's relationships in Chicago and the Midwest region of the United States.