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Women Playing Vital Role in Australian Diplomacy

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News, speeches and media

Media Release

Media release from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

On International
Womens Day, it is appropriate to acknowledge the vital role that women are
playing in advancing Australia's national interests through our diplomatic
service. The Coalition Government has appointed 20 women to head Australian
missions overseas since 1996.� There are
currently 13 women leading Australian overseas posts � more than ever before.

  • Margaret Adamson, Ambassador to Poland
  • Sue Boyd, High
    Commissioner to Fiji
  • Lisa Filipetto,
    Consul-General, Ho Chi Minh City
  • Denise Fisher,
    High Commissioner to Zimbabwe
  • Janet Gardiner,
    Ambassador to Portugal
  • Louise Hand,
    Ambassador to Cambodia
  • Joanna Hewitt,
    Ambassador to Belgium and EU
  • Sally Mansfield,
    Consul-General, New Caledonia
  • Sharyn Minahan,
    Ambassador to Argentina
  • Victoria Owen,
    Ambassador to Egypt
  • Ruth Pearce,
    Ambassador to Russia
  • Penny Richards,
    Consul-General, Shanghai
  • Penny Wensley,
    Australian Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York

Pamela Fayle is a
Deputy Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade based in
Canberra and Australia's Ambassador to APEC.

Australia's
development cooperation program, managed through the Government's overseas aid
agency AusAID, is run by women at a number of overseas locations.

  • Irene Davies,
    Counsellor, Pretoria
  • Jacqui Delacy,
    Counsellor, United Nations New York
  • Sun-Hee Lee,
    Counsellor, Hanoi
  • Angela Mercuri,
    Honiara
  • Leanne Merrett,
    Nuku'alofa
  • Susan Nelson,
    Colombo
  • Margaret
    Regnault, Minister/Counsellor, Port Moresby
  • Margaret Thomas,
    Counsellor, Dili
  • Donelle Wheeler,
    Counsellor, Beijing

Australia's diplomatic
service offers women challenging and stimulating careers. I would strongly
encourage more women to consider career opportunities in the Department of
Foreign Affairs and Trade and AusAID. Careers in these agencies can be
personally and professionally rewarding, while helping to advance Australia's
national interests and work on issues of significance to the international
community.

Media inquiries: Matt Francis (Ministerial) 02 6277
7500 / 0419 206 890

Julie McDonald (DFAT) 02 6261 1555

FA31

Last Updated: 19 September 2014
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