Ambassador to Germany

Today I announce the appointment of Ms Lynette Wood as Australia's next Ambassador to Germany, with non-resident accreditation to Switzerland and Liechtenstein.

Germany and Australia have a close and productive relationship, sharing common strategic and security objectives. We will further strengthen our engagement on shared foreign, defence and security priorities through the inaugural 2+2 strategic dialogue between Foreign and Defence Ministers of both countries, taking place in September this year. Germany is Australia's eleventh largest trading partner and fifth largest destination for foreign investment. We also look forward to engaging with Germany throughout their G20 Presidency in 2017.

Australia enjoys a strong relationship with Switzerland based on shared political and economic interests. Switzerland ranks tenth among Australia's sources of foreign direct investment and Swiss companies make an important contribution to our exports and domestic research and development capacity.

Australia and Liechtenstein cooperate closely through the United Nations (UN) to address global challenges such as climate change, international development and disarmament.

In Canberra, Ms Wood was First Assistant Secretary, International Division with the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C). She has served as Assistant Secretary, Middle East Branch and Executive Branch at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). Ms Wood has also served overseas with postings in Canada and Germany.

Ms Wood holds a Master of Arts (International Relations) from the Australian National University, a Graduate Diploma in Foreign Affairs and Trade from Monash University and a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) from the University of Sydney.

I thank outgoing Ambassador David J Ritchie AO for his contribution to advancing Australia's interests in Germany, Switzerland and Liechtenstein since 2014.