Appointment of Australian High Commissioners and Ambassadors

Our diplomats are the driver of Australia's engagement with the world. Today I announce new appointments that strengthen Australia's diplomatic capability and its prosecution of our national interests around the globe.

I am pleased that these highly qualified individuals have been appointed to lead Australia's posts in the Maldives, Malta, Mexico, Qatar, and Tuvalu, and to the roles of Ambassador for Arms Control and Counter-Proliferation, and the Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York:

• Mr David Jessup as Australia's first resident High Commissioner to the Republic of Maldives.
• Mr Matt Skelly as Australia's next High Commissioner to Malta. Mr Skelly will also be accredited to Tunisia.
• Ms Rachel Moseley as Australia's next Ambassador to Mexico. Ms Moseley will also be accredited to Costa Rica, Cuba, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama and the Dominican Republic.
• Mr Shane Flanagan as Australia's next Ambassador to Qatar.
• Mr Brenton Garlick as Australia's next High Commissioner to Tuvalu.
• Ms Vanessa Wood as Australia's next Ambassador for Arms Control and Counter-Proliferation.
• Mr James Larsen as Australia's next Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York.

The appointment of Australia's first resident High Commissioner in Malé, Maldives demonstrates Australia's increased engagement in the Indian Ocean, including through the Indian Ocean Rim Association.

I thank the outgoing Ambassadors and High Commissioners for their contributions to advancing Australia's interests.