Ambassador to Portugal

Today I announce the appointment of Mr Peter Rayner as Australia's next Ambassador to Portugal. Mr Rayner will also have non-resident accreditation to Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau and Sao Tome and Principe.

Australia and Portugal have a close relationship based on shared values and expanding cultural, academic and sporting links. Our international cooperation covers promoting and protecting human rights and addressing global security challenges, including the fight against terrorism.

Australia and Portugal are working to further increase bilateral trade and investment, with the proposed Australia-EU Free Trade Agreement to provide further opportunities.

Mr Rayner is a career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Until recently he was Director, Pacific Regional Organisations and Governance Section.

Mr Rayner has served overseas as Deputy Head of Mission in Rome; Deputy Head of Mission in Dili; and Head of Post at the former Australian Policy Liaison Office Lisbon. His earlier postings were in Noumea, Brasilia and Jakarta.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) from the University of Sydney, a Graduate Diploma in Economics from the University of Canberra and a Diploma of Education from the Sydney College of Advanced Education. Mr Rayner speaks Portuguese, French and Indonesian.

I thank outgoing Ambassador Anne Plunkett for her contribution to advancing Australia's interests in Portugal since 2013.