High Commissioner to South Africa

Today I announce the appointment of Mr Adam McCarthy as Australia's High Commissioner to South Africa, with non-resident accreditation to Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

South Africa and Australia have enjoyed a long history of cooperation, with deep political and economic ties and strong people-to-people links. Australia took a leading role in supporting anti-apartheid efforts, which brought democracy to South Africa.

Australia has warm relations with the other countries of accreditation through long term regional engagement, as well as commercial and mining ties.

South Africa is Australia's largest export market in Africa and second-largest trading partner, with two-way investment worth more than $5 billion in 2013. South Africa is a member of the Commonwealth and an active participant in international arena, including the G20 and the Indian Ocean Rim Association.South Africa and Australia are jointly hosting the $1.9 billion Square Kilometre Array radio telescope project involving institutions from more than 20 countries.

Mr McCarthy is a senior career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Until recently, he was Assistant Secretary, Africa Branch and was earlier head of the International Legal Branch. He has served overseas as Deputy High Commissioner in London, with earlier postings in Washington DC and Wellington.

Mr McCarthy holds a Bachelor of Economics (Honours) and Bachelor of Laws (Honours) from Sydney University, with postgraduate qualifications from the University of Technology, Sydney, and Monash University. He is married with two children.

Mr McCarthy took up his appointment in March 2015. The previous High Commissioner to South Africa, Mr Graeme Wilson, sadly passed away during his tenure in September 2014. Mr Wilson had been an outstanding advocate for Australia in South Africa.