Minister for Foreign Affairs Senator the Hon Marise Payne announced on 27 November 2018 the appointment of a new Australian Ambassador to the Philippines.
Steven Robinson AO will take on the position to be left by Amanda Gorely, who served a term starting 2016. On the Foreign Minister’s website, Senator Payne introduced Robinson’s credentials. “Mr Robinson is a senior career officer in the Foreign Affairs and Trade portfolio. Over his extensive career, he has developed and expanded Australia’s relationships with a broad range of countries, with a particular focus on the South East Asian region. He has served in Australia’s embassies in Jakarta, Yangon and Bangkok and has held a range of senior positions in Canberra across operational and corporate areas.
“Mr Robinson holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) and Diploma in Education from the University of Sydney.”
Senator Payne extended her gratitude to Ambassador Gorely for her efforts in advancing Australia’s interests in the Philippines.
Meanwhile, Gorely was conferred the Order of Sikatuna, with the Rank of Grand Cross (Datu), Silver Distinction by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte in a farewell call at the Study Room of the Malacañan Palace. Prior to her posting as Australian Ambassador to the Philippines, she worked at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Australia, Deputy High Commissioner at the Australian High Commission and Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, among her notable positions.
Deputy Head of Mission Mathieson Kimberley, Defense Attaché Captain Bradley Ian White, and Political Counsellors Caroline Fogarty and Clare Marie Duffield witnessed the ceremony. The Philippine government was represented by Department of National Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, National Security Council Secretary Hermogenes Esperon, Jr., Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary Ernesto Abella and Philippine Ambassador to Australia Hellen dela Vega.
WATCH: Farewell call of H.E. Amanda Gorely, Australian Ambassador to the Philippines
Source: RTVM Youtube Channel