Mr A. M. McLean OAM
Ambassador to Japan
Biography
Mr Murray McLean arrived in Japan on 24 November and formally took up his appointment as Australian Ambassador to Japan on 10 December 2004.
Mr McLean is a senior career officer of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. He joined the Department in 1970 and has had wide experience, particularly on Asian issues, and is fluent in Standard Chinese (Mandarin).
His previous postings and placements include:
- (Feb 2004 - Nov 2004) Deputy Secretary
- (2001-early 2004) First Assistant Secretary in charge of North Asia Division;
- (1997-2001) Australian High Commissioner (Ambassador) to Singapore;
- (1992-96) Assistant Secretary in charge of East Asia Branch;
- (1987-92) Consul-General in Shanghai;
- (1983-86) Counsellor in Washington;
- (1979-83) Counsellor in Beijing;
- As well as earlier postings in Beijing (1973-76) and Hong Kong (1971-73).
In 1991 Mr McLean was awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for his services to international relations.
He is a B.A. (Hons) graduate from the University of Melbourne and later studied Chinese at the University of Hong Kong. Born in 1947, he is married with two adult children and his interests include golf, tennis, classical music and Asian arts.