Consul-General in Phuket

Today I announce the appointment of Mr Craig Ferguson as Australia's first Consul-General in Phuket, Thailand, with jurisdiction throughout the provinces of Phuket, Krabi and Phang-Nga.

Australia's Consulate-General in Phuket was opened in June 2016 as part of the largest expansion of our diplomatic network in 40 years.

900,000 Australians visit Thailand each year, with approximately a third of those travelling to Phuket. The Government is committed to improving access to consular and passport services in areas popular with Australian travellers.

Australia and Thailand have a strong relationship based on shared strategic and economic interests. We work closely together in regional and international forums, including the East Asia Summit, APEC and the United Nations, and on a range of important issues including defence, law enforcement, counter-terrorism, and combatting people smuggling and human trafficking. Thailand is our eighth largest trading partner with two-way trade worth $20.7 billion in 2015.

Mr Ferguson is a career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and most recently was Assistant Director, Staffing Operations Section. He has previously served overseas in Shanghai, Brasilia and New Delhi. Mr Ferguson holds a Bachelor of Business from Queensland University of Technology.

I would like to thank Australia's outgoing Honorary Consul in Phuket, Ms Michelle Hawryluk, for her excellent contribution to providing consular services for Australians in Phuket.