Diplomatic Appointment - Consul-General in Chennai
Media release
6 July 2010
Today I announce the appointment of Mr David Holly as Australia's Consul-General in Chennai. Mr Holly replaces Mr Aminur Rahman who has served with distinction as the Trade Commissioner and Consul-General since January 2007.
Mr Holly will head a post that is to be significantly expanded in recognition of the growth and importance of Australia's engagement with India. He is expected to take up his appointment in September 2010.
The expanded Chennai Consulate-General is an important element in delivering on the Government's commitment to place Australia's relationship with India at the front rank of our international partnerships. A new Chancery is to be established and is expected to open in 2011.
In November 2009 Australia and India agreed to take the Australia-India relationship to the level of a Strategic Partnership.
India is now Australia's third largest and fastest growing major export market. Two-way goods and services trade totalled $20.9 billion in 2009.
The Consulate-General has responsibility for the dynamic southern states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, which contribute more than a quarter of India's GDP.
South India's growth has fuelled demand for Australian energy, minerals and petroleum resources, reflected in the August 2009 ExxonMobil-Petronet deal to supply LNG from Australia's Gorgon gas field to Kochi in India's south.
Mr Holly is a senior career officer within the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Mr Holly has extensive experience within the Department and has served overseas as Deputy High Commissioner, India. He also served overseas in Singapore and was an Exchange Officer with the Canadian Department of Finance, Ottawa. Mr Holly has also worked for the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, the Department of the Treasury and Fay Richwhite Merchant Bank.
Mr Holly holds a Bachelor of Economics Degree from the Australian National University. He is married with three children.
Media inquiries
- Minister's Office: (02) 6277 7500
- Departmental Media Liaison: (02) 6261 1555