I have today announced the appointment of Colin Hill as Australia's
High Commissioner to the Kingdom of Tonga.
Mr Hill will replace Angus Macdonald who has been High Commissioner
since December 1999. He is expected to take up his appointment
in April 2003.
Australia and Tonga enjoy a warm relationship. Australia is Tonga's
main source of development assistance and its second-largest trading
partner. Many Tongans have settled in Australia and our strong
people to people links include popular sporting contacts.
Australia has an active Defence Cooperation Program with Tonga.
More Australians are visiting the Kingdom to experience Tonga's
unique Polynesian and island culture.
Mr Hill is a senior career officer with the Department of Foreign
Affairs and Trade and is currently High Commissioner for Australia
to the Republic of Kiribati. Prior to taking up this appointment
in February 2000, he held the position of Director, Pacific Regional
Section (1996-99), Deputy High Commissioner, Singapore (1991-95),
Director, Japan Section (1990-91), and Counsellor (Commercial),
Tokyo (1985-89). He worked in the minerals and energy trade policy
areas in the Departments of Minerals and Energy, National Resources,
Trade and Resources, and Trade (1975-85) and served with the Public
Service Board (1972-75).
Mr Hill was born in Canberra in 1950 and is a graduate in Economics
from the Australian National University. He is married with two
daughters.
Media enquiries: Julie McDonald (Departmental) 02 6261 1555
