Ambassador for People Smuggling and Human Trafficking

Today I announce the appointment of Dr Geoffrey Shaw as Australia's next Ambassador for People Smuggling and Human Trafficking.

The Ambassador for People Smuggling and Human Trafficking plays a lead role in advancing Australia's international interests by countering people smuggling in support of Operation Sovereign Borders (OSB). Dr Shaw will work closely with the OSB Joint Agency Task Force to coordinate the international elements of OSB across government.

The Ambassador also focuses on Australia's regional and international engagement to combat human trafficking and modern slavery, including as co-chair with Indonesia of the 45-country Bali Process, the preeminent regional grouping working to address these transnational crimes.

Dr Shaw is a senior career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and was most recently Assistant Secretary, People Smuggling and Human Trafficking Taskforce. In Canberra, Dr Shaw has held a range of positions in DFAT, including as Assistant Secretary, Australian Safeguards and Non-Proliferation Office. He has served in senior positions in Geneva, with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna, and as the IAEA Representative to the United Nations in New York.

Dr Shaw holds a Doctor of Philosophy from the Australian National University, and a Bachelor of Science (Hon) from the University of Wollongong.

I thank outgoing Ambassador Andrew Goledzinowski AM for his contribution to Australia's efforts to combat people smuggling and human trafficking since 2014.