Mr Bob Tyson
Ambassador to Iraq
Biography
Mr Tyson is a career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and was most recently Australia’s Ambassador to the Russian Federation. Prior to this, he served as Ambassador to Saudi Arabia. His other overseas positions have included Minister, Congressional Liaison, in Washington DC (1993-97), Consul-General in Honolulu (1989-93), Counsellor and Deputy Head of Mission in Moscow (1984-87), First Secretary in Bangkok (1976-79) and as Third/Second Secretary in Wellington (1972‑75). In Canberra, Mr Tyson held the positions of Assistant Secretary, Nuclear Policy Branch (1999-2000), Assistant Secretary, Passports Branch (1997-99), and Director of Foreign Service Training (1979-80).
Mr Tyson has also worked for the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet as Senior Adviser, North America and Defence Branch (1987-89), and has held positions with the Department of the Premier and Cabinet in Melbourne (1980-83) including as Head of the International Division, Director of the Cabinet Unit and Principal Adviser, Inter-governmental Relations.
Educated at the Australian National University, Mr Tyson holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with Honours in History and Political Science. He is married with two children. Mr Tyson speaks Arabic and Russian.