Ambassador to Ireland

Today I announce the appointment of The Hon Gary Gray AO as Australia’s next Ambassador to Ireland.

Australia and Ireland enjoy a warm relationship, based on our common values and strong historic links. In 2021 we will commemorate 75 years of diplomatic relations between our two countries.

Economic ties between our countries are well established and in 2018-19, two-way goods and services trade was valued at $4.5 billion. Our investment relationship is also strong. In 2018, Ireland's stock of investment in Australia totalled $21.8 billion and Australian stock of investment in Ireland was $15.4 billion. Our mutual commitment to an open, rules-based international environment for trade and investment is demonstrated through our shared support for negotiations on a comprehensive and ambitious Free Trade Agreement between Australia and the European Union.

Mr Gray has recently been the General Manager, External Affairs at Mineral Resources Ltd, Perth; a Board member of the Australian Submarine Corporation; a Member of the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority; and a Trustee of Telethon.

Mr Gray previously served as a Board Member of the Perth Astronomical Observatory; Federal Parliamentarian; Parliamentary Secretary, Minister for the Public Service and Integrity; for Tourism; for Small Business; and for Resources and Energy; Director of Corporate Affairs, Woodside Energy; Executive Director, Western Australia Institute of Medical Research; National Secretary, Australian Labor Party; and Assistant National Secretary, Australian Labor Party.

Mr Gray holds a Bachelor of Economics from the Australian National University.

I thank former Ambassador Richard Andrews for his contributions to advancing Australia’s interests in Ireland since 2016.