Diplomatic Appointment: Ambassador, Permanent Representative to the United Nations, New York

The Honourable Alexander Downer, MP, announced the appointment of the Honourable Robert Hill as Australian Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, New York. Mr Hill will replace Mr John Dauth, LVO, who was Ambassador from August 2001 to January 2006. He is expected to take up his appointment in April 2006.

Australia has long supported the United Nations’ important role in world affairs and is committed to efforts to make it a more effective organisation, particularly by strengthening and modernising its role in maintaining international peace and security and contributing to social and economic development. Australia is actively engaged in implementing the outcomes of the 2005 World Summit, including the establishment of a UN Peacebuilding Commission and the creation of a Human Rights Council, and will continue to support wide-ranging management reforms to enhance UN effectiveness and accountability. Mr Hill will also serve as Australia’s representative on the inaugural Advisory Board of the UN Democracy Fund, to which the Australian Government has already contributed $10 million.

Mr Hill has been a member of the Senate of the Parliament of Australia representing South Australia since 1981. During this time he held a number of senior Cabinet positions including Minister for Defence (2001-2006), Minister for the Environment and Heritage (1998-2001) and Minister for the Environment (1996-1998).

He was also Leader of the Government in the Senate (1996-2006) and Leader of the Opposition in the Senate (1990-1996).

Mr Hill was born in Adelaide in 1946. He holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Adelaide and a Master of Laws from the University of London. He is married and has four children.