Australian Ambassador for People Smuggling and Human Trafficking

Today I announce the appointment of Mr Bryce Hutchesson as Australia's next Ambassador for People Smuggling and Human Trafficking.

The Ambassador for People Smuggling and Human Trafficking plays a lead role in promoting international cooperation to counter people smuggling in support of Operation Sovereign Borders (OSB). Mr Hutchesson will work closely with the OSB Joint Agency Task Force to coordinate the international elements of OSB across government.

The Ambassador will also further Australia's regional and international efforts to combat human trafficking and modern slavery, including as co-chair with Indonesia of the 45-country Bali Process, the preeminent regional grouping working to address these transnational crimes.

Mr Hutchesson is a senior career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), and was most recently Australia's High Commissioner to Sri Lanka.

He has previously served overseas as Deputy High Commissioner in New Delhi, with earlier postings in Bangkok and Tel Aviv. He has also served in Washington with the Office of National Assessments.

In Canberra, Mr Hutchesson has led DFAT's South and West Asia Division and several branches responsible for international security.

Mr Hutchesson holds a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Melbourne.

I thank outgoing Ambassador Dr Geoffrey Shaw for his contribution to Australia's efforts to combat people smuggling and human trafficking since 2017.