I am pleased to announce that Executive Council has approved
my recommendation that Mr Michael L'Estrange be appointed as Australia's
High Commissioner to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern
Ireland.
Mr L'Estrange has made a distinguished contribution
to the Government over the last four years as Secretary to the Cabinet
and Head of the Cabinet Policy Unit.
He has played a very important role in ensuring that
Cabinet operates as effectively as possible and that public policies and
programmes reflect the overall goals and objectives of the Government.
He has also made a major contribution to the development of the Government's
policy agenda, including taxation reform, the rebalancing of foreign policy
and our modern conservative approach to social policy.
Mr L'Estrange graduated with Honours from Sydney
University in 1974, majoring in History. He is a Rhodes Scholar who graduated
with First Class Honours in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from Oxford
University. He subsequently served in the Department of Prime Minister
and Cabinet, as well as a senior adviser to several of my predecessors
as Leader of the Opposition, and as Executive Director of the Menzies
Research Centre. He was also a Harkness Fellow and has undertaken research
in international relations at Oxford, Georgetown University and the University
of California. He is married with five children.
Australia's relationship with the United Kingdom
has acquired a new vitality in recent years, building on our enduring
cultural and historical links. Our commercial ties to the United Kingdom
continue to grow strongly. We particularly appreciate the early and effective
contribution of the United Kingdom in both diplomatic and military terms
in respect of East Timor.
Mr L'Estrange will take up duty in July 2000 and
will replace Mr Philip Flood who has been High Commissioner since April
1998.
I also take the opportunity to express the Government's
appreciation of the contribution of Philip Flood as High Commissioner
to the United Kingdom, a posting which will mark the end of a long and
distinguished career of public service. I wish him and his wife well in
their retirement.
2 February 2000