Ambassador to the Philippines

Today I announce the appointment of Ms Amanda Gorely as Australia's next Ambassador to the Philippines.

The Philippines is an important partner for Australia in Southeast Asia and we cooperate closely on a range of global and regional issues. In May 2016, we will celebrate the 70th anniversary of the bilateral relationship.

At the APEC Leaders' Summit in November 2015, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Philippines President Benigno Aquino III, signed a Joint Declaration launching a Philippines-Australia Comprehensive Partnership, marking a new era in bilateral relations, strengthening the links between our economies and our people.

Australia and the Philippines have a substantial trade relationship, with two-way trade last year reaching $3.43 billion. Our economic partnership with the Philippines focuses on bringing our trade, investment and development assistance initiatives together to promote growth.

We cooperate closely through the ASEAN Regional Forum, the East Asia Summit, the ASEAN Defence Ministers' meeting and APEC. Our law enforcement and security agencies are working together on the challenge of terrorism in our region.

Ms Gorely is a senior career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. She is currently Corporate Counsel and head of the Corporate Legal Branch, a position she has held since 2012. She has previously served overseas as Deputy High Commissioner at the Australian High Commission in Wellington and Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, with earlier postings in Stockholm and Copenhagen.

In Canberra, Ms Gorely has served also as Assistant Secretary, WTO Trade Law Branch; Director, International Law Section; and Director, Human Rights and Indigenous Issues Section.

Ms Gorely is expected to take up her position in January 2016. I thank outgoing Ambassador Bill Tweddell for his work in advancing Australia's interests in the Philippines since 2012.