List of High Commissioners of Australia to the United Kingdom

High Commissioner of Australia to the United Kingdom
Incumbent
Alexander Downer
since 27 June 2014
Style His Excellency
Nominator Prime Minister of Australia
Appointer Governor General of Australia
Inaugural holder Sir George Reid
Formation 1910
Website Australian High Commission, United Kingdom
Australia House in London, opened by King George V on 3 August 1918.

The High Commissioner of Australia to the United Kingdom is an officer of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the head of the High Commission of the Commonwealth of Australia to United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in London. The position has the rank and status of an Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary and is currently held by former Minister for Foreign Affairs Alexander Downer, who is the son of Hon Sir Alexander Downer, who held the post from 1964 to 1972. The High Commissioner also serves as Australia's Permanent Representative to the International Maritime Organisation (since 1959),[1] a Trustee of the Imperial War Museum and Australia's Commonwealth War Graves Commissioner.

The High Commission of Australia in London is Australia's oldest diplomatic posting, having been established in 1910. Australia House became the site of the mission upon its opening in 1918. Prior to this, and prior to federation, Australia was represented through the Agents-General of the colonies, the oldest being New South Wales in 1864. The colonies became states upon federation in 1901 and many continue to be represented by Agents-General in London.

Four of Australia's Prime Ministers have later been appointed High Commissioner: Reid, Fisher, Cook and Bruce. Until 1973, every High Commissioner was a former member of the Australian Parliament and former minister. Since then, a number of senior career diplomats have held the post, although former politicians are still regularly appointed.

High Commissioners

NameStart of termEnd of termReferences
Sir George Reid19101916
Andrew Fisher19161920
Sir Joseph Cook19211927
Sir Granville Ryrie19271932
Stanley Bruce 19331945
Jack Beasley19461949
Norman Mighell (Acting)19491950[2]
Eric Harrison19501951[3]
Sir Thomas White19511956[4]
Sir Eric Harrison19561964
Sir Alexander Downer19641972
John Armstrong19731974[5]
Sir John Bunting19751977
Sir Gordon Freeth19771980
Sir James Plimsoll19801981
Sir Victor Garland19811983
Alfred Parsons19831987
Doug McClelland19871991[6]
Richard Smith19911994
Neal Blewett19941998
Philip Flood19982000
Michael L'Estrange 20002005
Richard Alston20052008
John Dauth20082013
Mike Rann 20132014
Alexander Downer 27 June 2014present

See also

References

  1. ↑ "International Maritime Organization (IMO)". Australia Maritime Safety Authority. Australian Government. Retrieved 28 May 2015.
  2. ↑ The Foundry trade journal, Vol. 98 (1955)
  3. ↑ Macintyre, Stuart: Harrison, Sir Eric John (1892-1974). Australian Dictionary of Biography. Australian National University
  4. ↑ Rickard, John: White, Sir Thomas Walter (1888-1957). Australian Dictionary of Biography. Australian National University
  5. ↑ Parliamentary debates, House of Representatives, weekly Hansard, Vol. 104 (1978)
  6. ↑ Australian foreign affairs and trade, Vol. 61 (1990)

External links

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