Consul-General in New York

Today I announce the appointment of Ms Heather Ridout AO as Australia’s next Consul-General in New York. 

With four decades of experience, including as the former Chief Executive of the Australian Industry Group, Ms Ridout is well placed to engage with business leaders in New York and the United States’ Northeast states. 

As Consul-General, she will promote Australia’s strengths as an attractive trade and investment partner. Ms Ridout will also work to advance Australia's world-class and diverse creative industries, education and the arts in the United States. 

Ms Ridout is currently Director of Sims Ltd and Director of Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) Limited, and a board member of Kroll, the Rand Corporation Australia, and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) External Advisory Panel. 

New York is a global centre for business, finance and culture. For many Australian businesses and entrepreneurs, it is an entry point to the vast US market and New York is also the headquarters for many companies that invest in Australia. 

The United States is Australia's largest two-way investment partner and third-largest trading partner in goods and services. Two-way trade has grown from $42 billion in 2005, when the Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement came into force, to $68 billion in 2021. Two-way investment has more than tripled since 2005, to $2.2 trillion in 2021. 

I thank outgoing Consul-General Nick Greiner for his contributions to advancing Australia’s interests in New York since February 2021.