Biographical Details - Mr Dennis Richardson

Secretary

• Commenced as Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on 13 January 2010.
• Ambassador of Australia to the United States, June 2005-December 2009.
• Director-General of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation 1996-2005.
• Deputy Secretary of the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs 1993-1996.
• Head of the Review of the Intelligence Community post Cold War 1992.
• Principal Adviser to the Prime Minister 1990-1991.
• Various senior public service roles in the Departments of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and Immigration 1986-1990.
• A range of positions in the then Department of Foreign Affairs, with postings to Nairobi, Port Moresby and Jakarta 1969-1986.
• Graduated from Sydney University with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) 1968.
• Awarded an AO in 2003.
• Born in Kempsey NSW in 1947.
• Married to Betty and has one son and one daughter.