Mr James Larsen, Ambassador for People Smuggling Issues for Australia
The Ambassador for People Smuggling Issues is responsible for high-level advocacy of Australia's interests in promoting effective and practical international cooperation to combat people smuggling and trafficking in persons, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region.
The Ambassador promotes a coordinated, whole-of-government approach on Australian policies and works closely with foreign Governments and international organisations to implement measures that deliver practical benefits to regional operational agencies to combat people smuggling and trafficking in persons.
Mr Larsen will work closely with other governments, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and the International Organization for Migration, to take forward the practical measures adopted under the Bali Process, including the promotion of regional and international cooperation between key agencies.
Mr Larsen has most recently been Australian Ambassador to Israel (2006-10). Mr Larsen has held a number of positions in DFAT, including Assistant Secretary and Legal Adviser, Legal Branch (2004-06) and Director, Administrative and Domestic Law Section (1998-00). Mr Larsen has also served overseas in Brussels and Bangkok.
Mr Larsen holds a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts from the University of Melbourne. He is married and has one son and two daughters.