13 August 2001 / FA123

Diplomatic Appointment: Ambassador to Chile

I have today announced the appointment of Ms Elizabeth Schick as Ambassador to the Republic of Chile with concurrent accreditation to the Republic of Peru. Ms Schick will succeed Mr John Campbell, who has been Ambassador since November 1999. She is expected to take up her appointment in October 2001.

Ties between Australia and Chile are warm and long standing. Australia has significant investment links with Chile which are continuing to grow. Recent years have seen substantial development of existing and new mining projects and developments in areas such as venture capital, energy distribution, entertainment, wine production and marketing. Chile is Australia’s second largest merchandise export market in Latin America with some 120 Australian companies currently involved. More than 50 Australian or Australian-affiliated companies have offices in Chile.

Australia and Chile share growing multilateral interests. Chile is a valued partner in APEC and the Cairns Group. As well as our shared perspectives on the international trading system, Australia and Chile cooperate closely in areas such as arms control and disarmament, Antarctica and the environment.

Australia's relations with Peru have expanded in recent years, as economic and other reforms have caught the interest of major Australian companies. In particular, Australia has a growing commercial presence in Peru, based mainly on Peru's growing attractiveness as a destination for mining investment and mining services and equipment exports. Peru has long been a favoured Australian tourist destination and like Australia, is also a member of APEC.

Ms Schick is a senior career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and most recently headed up the Automotive Market Access Unit which pursues market access issues of concern to the Australian automotive industry. She has also served as Assistant Secretary, Nuclear Policy Branch (1998-99) where she was engaged in policy development in the field of nuclear non-proliferation and other aspects of Australia’s international security policy. Ms Schick’s career in DFAT has also focused on North Asian issues, agriculture and APEC.

Ms Schick has served abroad as Deputy Head of the Australian Mission to the United Nations in Vienna where she was also Australia’s Resident Representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency (1990-94).

Educated at the University of Queensland, Ms Schick holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with Honours, and is married with one daughter.

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Media inquiries:  Matt Francis (Ministerial) 02 672777 500, Julie McDonald (Departmental) 02 6261 1555

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