Smith to head High Commission of Australia

Former Labor minister Stephen Smith has been appointed as the High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, announced by Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong.

Ms Wong announced new appointments to Australian overseas posts today.

Mr Smith was a member of parliament for 20 years and held federal portfolios for foreign affairs, trade and defence from 2007 to 2013.

He became the Winthrop Professor of International Law at the University of Western Australia in 2014 and chair of the defence and security institute in early 2021.

"In certain circumstances there is a clear advantage for Australia to be represented by people who have had distinguished careers beyond the public service, such as businesspeople and former parliamentarians," Ms Wong said.

"The eminence of Australia’s relationship with the United Kingdom has long been reflected in the appointment of a former senior Cabinet minister."

Acting high commissioner Lynette Wood will continue in the role until Mr Smith starts at the completion of the Defence Strategic Review early next year.

Ms Wong announced six new ambassadors to lead Australian overseas posts, including Simon Twisk to Argentina, Axel Wabenhorst to Egypt, Melissa Kelly to Kuwait, Indra McCormick to Portugal, Andrew Goledzinowski to Vietnam, and Tony Huber as consul-general in Instanbul, Turkey.

"I thank outgoing ambassadors, high commissioners and consuls-general for their contributions to advancing Australia's interests in these countries during their respective tenures," she said.

"Our foreign service is the driver of Australia’s engagement with the world and responsible for ensuring our national interests today and into the future."

Arthur Sinodinos will end his posting as Ambassador to the United States of America in February, but his replacement is yet to be announced.

New heads of mission in Singapore, New Delhi, Tokyo and the United Nations in New York will be sought through a Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade recruitment process.

High Commissioner to SIngapore Will Hodgman and High Commissioner to India Barry O'Farrell will conclude their roles in February.

Mitch Fifield's posting as Australia's ambassador and permanent representative to the United Nations will end in June next year.