High Commissioner to Vanuatu

Today I announce the appointment of Mr Max Willis as Australia’s next High Commissioner to the Republic of Vanuatu.

Australia and Vanuatu have a deep and enduring bilateral partnership based on mutual respect, shared values, cultural connections and a common interest in a peaceful, stable and prosperous region.

Australia is committed to supporting Vanuatu’s priorities of long-term economic resilience and recovery, including from Tropical Cyclones Judy, Kevin and Lola in 2023.

Our long-standing partnership predates Vanuatu’s independence, and spans economic, development, security, humanitarian and climate change cooperation.

Mr Willis is a senior career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and was most recently A/g First Assistant Secretary, Melanesia Division, Office of the Pacific.

He has previously served overseas in Solomon Islands, the United States and Papua New Guinea.

I thank former High Commissioner Heidi Bootle for her contributions to advancing Australia’s interests in Vanuatu since 2022.