Mr Michael Potts

Ambassador to Austria

Mr Potts was most recently First Assistant Secretary in the International Organisations and Legal Division of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), and part time Ambassador for People Smuggling Issues, a position he held from January 2007 until June 2009.

He served as High Commissioner in Port Moresby (2003-06) and prior to that held the position of First Assistant Secretary, International Division of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet from 2001 to 2002.

From 1999-2001, Mr Potts was First Assistant Secretary, International Organisations and Legal Division of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. He has also held the positions of Assistant Secretary, Trade Policy Issues and Industrials Branch (1998-99); Assistant Secretary, Mainland South-East Asia Branch (1997-98) and Assistant Secretary, ASEAN Bilateral Branch (1994-97).

Mr Potts has also served as Ambassador in Hanoi (1991-94); Counsellor, Australian Mission to the United Nations in New York (1985-88) and Acting High Commissioner in Lusaka (1980-83). He also had postings in Madrid (1973-76), Vientiane (1977-79) and Dar es Salaam (1980). Mr Potts holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with First Class Honours in History from the University of Sydney. He speaks Spanish and has an understanding of French, Lao and Vietnamese. He is married.