Senator Penny Wong during her visit to Israel in January 2024. Photo: Penny Wong Facebook.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Senator Penny Wong has announced Australia’s first round of Ambassador, Consul-General and High Commissioner appointments for 2024.
The appointments are for Australia’s key representatives at three posts in India, as well as Mauritius, Seychelles, Madagascar, Comoros, Poland, Czech Republic, Lithuania, Timor-Leste, Samoa, American Samoa and ASEAN.
Silai Zaki has been appointed Consul-General in Chennai, India, succeeding Sarah Kirlew.
Ms Zaki is a career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and was most recently acting Assistant Secretary, Defence Strategic Policy Branch. She has previously served in Spain and as an adviser to former Foreign Minister Marise Payne.
Hugh Boylan has been named Australia’s next Consul-General in Kolkata, India, replacing Rowan Ainsworth.
Mr Boylan is a career officer with DFAT, was most recently Counsellor (Economic) at the Australian High Commission in New Delhi, and has also served in Pakistan.
Paul Murphy has been named Australia’s next Consul-General in Mumbai, India, and will replace Peter Truswell, and most recently Acting Consul-General Majell Hind in the role.
Mr Murphy is a career DFAT officer and was most recently Director, Free Trade Agreement Sectoral Services Section. He has previously served as Consul-General in Lae and at the Australian High Commission in Papua New Guinea.
Kate Chamley will be Australia’s next High Commissioner to the Republic of Mauritius with accreditation to the Republics of Madagascar and Seychelles and the Union of the Comoros, succeeding Katie Lalor in the position.
Ms Chamley is a career officer with DFAT. She was most recently Special Adviser, Foreign Arrangements Taskforce, and has previously served in Kiribati and Pakistan.
Benjamin Hayes has been announced as Australia’s next Ambassador to the Republic of Poland with accreditation to the Czech Republic and the Republic of Lithuania, replacing Lloyd Brodrick.
Mr Hayes is a senior career officer with DFAT and was most recently Assistant Secretary, AUKUS International Engagement Branch. He has also served in several senior roles in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and the Department of Defence.
Caitlin Wilson will serve as Australia’s next Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, succeeding William Costello and acting Ambassador John Feakes.
Ms Wilson is a senior career officer with DFAT, having previously served as Deputy Head of Mission, Papua New Guinea; Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, New York; and with the OECD Delegation in Paris and the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI).
Will Robinson will be Australia’s next High Commissioner to the Independent State of Samoa with accreditation to American Samoa, to replace Ms Emily Luck.
Mr Robinson is a career officer with DFAT and was most recently Director, Investment Team, Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific. He has previously served in Papua New Guinea and the Philippines.
Tiffany McDonald will be Australia’s next Ambassador of Australia to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). She will replace Will Nankervis in the role.
Ms McDonald is a senior career officer with DFAT and has previously served overseas as High Commissioner to Brunei Darussalam, and at posts in France, the Holy See, South Korea, the UK and Indonesia.
Original Article published by Andrew McLaughlin on Riotact.
