Patrick Lawless

His Excellency Patrick Lawless
Australia Ambassador to Brazil
Incumbent
Assumed office 12 February 2014
Preceded by	Brett Hackett
Australia Ambassador to Portugal
In office 2009–2013
Australia Ambassador to Poland
In office 2002–2005
Preceded by	Margaret Adamson
Succeeded by	Ian Forsyth
Personal details
Nationality	Australian
Alma mater	University of New South Wales London School of Economics
Occupation	Senior career officer with Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Profession	Diplomat

Patrick Colin Lawless is an Australian diplomat and senior career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).^[1][2]

Lawless is currently serving as the Australian Ambassador to Brazil replacing Brett Hackett,^[3] having been appointed by Foreign Minister Julie Bishop from 12 February 2014.^[4] Lawless has previously served as Australia's Ambassador to Portugal (2009–2013) and to Poland (2002–2005).^[1][2]

Early life and education

Lawless can trace his family heritage to the First Fleet landing in Botany Bay in 1788.^[5]

Lawless speaks Portuguese and graduated from the University of New South Wales and London School of Economics.^[4] Prior to working for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Lawless practiced law in Sydney^[2] and worked for the Aboriginal Land Commissioner in Darwin.^[6]

Career

Lawless began is career with the Department of Foreign Affairs in 1985^[6] as held a number of positions with the Department throughout his career including three ambassadorships. Lawless worked as the speechwriter for the Foreign Minister and Trade Minister from 1992 and 1993 and then as an adviser in the Trade Minister's office in 1993.^[7] By 1998 Lawless began serving in senior Department positions beginning with the Director of the Staffing Operations Section in DFAT's Staffing Branch.^[8] His first ambassadorial appointment to Poland was announced by the Minister Alexander Downer in 30 May 2002 replacing Margaret Adamson.^[6] Lawless's replacement Ian Forsyth was announced in April 2005 and he completed his post in Poland in June 2005.^[9] Prior to his appointment as Ambassador to Poland he served as the head of the Trade Development Branch and Trade and Economic Analysis Branch, the Deputy Head of Mission in South Africa and Russia and a diplomatic posting in France^[7]

Lawless was announced as the Ambassador to Portugal with non-resident accreditation to Cape Verde, Guinea Bissau and Sao Tome and Principe on 24 August 2009 by Minister Stephen Smith, he replaced Luke Williams.^[10][11][12] He was replaced by Anne Plunkett in May 2012.^[11] After 2012 Lawless served as the head of DFAT's Resources, Competitiveness and Trade Analysis Branch.^[13][14]

Lawless was appointed the Ambassador to Brazil on 12 February 2014 by Minister Julie Bishop replacing Brett Hackett.^[4][13] While Ambassador to Brazil, Lawless, along with Austrade, was involved in organising and facilitating Australian involvement in the Brazilian Association of Water Resources Symposium which allowed for water management experts from Australia to train Brazilian stakeholders.^[15] He also met the Socceroos when they landed in Curitiba prior to their third World Cup game.^[16]

Minister Julie Bishop announced that Lawless would be replaced by John Richardson in February 2016.^[17]

References

1. "Bilateral political relations". Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Canberra. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland. 2012. Retrieved 7 August 2014.
2. Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. "Ambassador to Brazil". Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Australian Government. Retrieved 7 August 2014.
3. Wagner, Beatriz (16 February 2014). "Patrick Lawless is the new Ambassador of Australia in Brazil". SBS. SBS Audio and Language. Retrieved 7 August 2014.
4. "Ambassador to Brazil" (Press release). Canberra, Australia: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. 12 February 2014. Retrieved 7 August 2014.
5. "Interview with Australian Ambassador, Mr. Patrick Lawless". The World of English. 2003. Retrieved 7 August 2014.
6. "Diplomatic Appointment: Ambassador to Poland - Media Releases from the Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs". Retrieved 9 February 2016.
7. "Diplomatic Appointment - Ambassador to Portugal". Retrieved 9 February 2016.
8. "Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee Hansard". Canberra: Parliament of Australia. 10 June 1998. Retrieved 9 February 2016.
9. "Diplomatic Appointment: Ambassador to Poland". Retrieved 9 February 2016.
10. "About us". Australian Embassy Brazil. Retrieved 9 February 2016.
11. Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. "Diplomatic Appointment: Ambassador to Portugal". Retrieved 9 February 2016.
12. Dodd, Mark (24 August 2009). "Peter Tesch appointed to fill vacant post of German ambassador". The Australian. Retrieved 16 February 2016.
13. "Senior Appointments". Independent News For The Australian Public Service (397 ed.). 18 February 2014. Retrieved 9 February 2016.
14. "International education support and collaboration (Hansard)" (PDF). Australian Parliament House. Canberra: Commonwealth of Australia. May 2013. Retrieved 16 February 2016.
15. "Bringing Australian water expertise to Brazil". Australian Water Partnership. 14 December 2015. Retrieved 16 February 2016.
16. Smithies, Tom (29 May 2014). "A helicopter escort and police band greets Socceroos after 22-hour journey to Brazil". The Daily Telegraph. Vitória. Retrieved 16 February 2016.
17. "Ambassador to Brazil". Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.