Consul-General in Bali

Today I announce the appointment of Dr Helena Studdert as Australia's next Consul-General in Bali, Indonesia.

Almost a million Australians travel to Bali annually and the Consulate-General is our third busiest post in providing consular services. The delivery of high quality consular and passports assistance to Australian travellers and residents is a key priority.

The Consulate-General has an important role in strengthening business, development, education and cultural connections, in Bali and Western Nusa Tenggara.

Indonesia is one of Australia's most important relationships. We have a highly productive and diverse partnership with Indonesia that straddles business, politics, defence, security, culture and education.

Australia and Indonesia are also important regional partners working together to drive prosperity and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

The Government is committed to deepening our engagement with Indonesia, including fostering the important people-to-people links that keep our countries deeply engaged and build trust and mutual understanding.

Dr Studdert is a career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and was most recently seconded as International Adviser to the Australian-Civil Military Centre. She has served overseas as Ambassador to Serbia (2010-2013) and Counsellor at the Australian High Commission in Wellington (2003-2005).

In Canberra, Dr Studdert served as Director, Consular Information Section (2008-2010); Director APEC Task Force (2005-2008) and Director, Ministerial and Executive Liaison Section (2000-2003).

Dr Studdert holds a PHD (History) from UNSW, a BA Hons from UNSW and a Graduate Diploma in Foreign Affairs and Trade from Monash University.

Dr Studdert will take up her appointment in January 2016.

I thank outgoing Consul-General Majell Hind for her contribution to advancing Australia's interests in Bali since 2014.