Ambassador to Cambodia

Today I announce the appointment of Ms Angela Corcoran as Australia's next Ambassador to Cambodia.

Australia and Cambodia have a long history of cooperation, including through the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the East Asia Summit (EAS). We work closely on global and regional challenges including people smuggling and trafficking, child sex offences and drug trafficking.

Two-way trade in goods between Australia and Cambodia exceeded $170 million in 2014-15, and Australian investment in Cambodia is growing, especially in the banking, education and tourism sectors.

Education ties are also expanding through initiatives such as the Australia Awards scholarships and the New Colombo Plan. By the end of 2016, the New Colombo Plan will have supported over 370 Australian undergraduates to study and work in Cambodia.

Australia will continue to use our foreign aid program to improve agricultural productivity, strengthen governance, health and education, and improve access to infrastructure through innovative programs in Cambodia.

Ms Corcoran is a senior career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and is currently Assistant Secretary of the Indonesia Political and Economic Strategy Branch. She previously served as Assistant Secretary, Indonesia and Timor-Leste Program Delivery Branch and Acting First Assistant Secretary, East Asia Development Division.

Ms Corcoran is expected to take up her appointment in April 2016. I thank outgoing Ambassador Alison Burrows for her strong contribution since 2013 in advancing Australia's interests in Cambodia.