List of high commissioners of Australia to Malaysia

The high commissioner of Australia to Malaysia is an officer of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the head of the High Commission of the Commonwealth of Australia to Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur. The position has the rank and status of an ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary and is currently held by Dr Justin Lee since 1 July 2021.

High Commissioner of Australia to Malaysia
Incumbent
Dr Justin Lee
since 1 July 2021 (2021-07-01)
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
StyleHis Excellency
Reports toMinister for Foreign Affairs
Residence33 Jalan Langgak Golf
SeatKampung Baru, Kuala Lumpur
NominatorPrime Minister of Australia
AppointerGovernor General of Australia
Inaugural holderTom Critchley (Commissioner)
Formation22 December 1955
WebsiteAustralian High Commission, Malaysia

Posting history

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On 11 November 1955, the Minister for External Affairs, Richard Casey, announced that Tom Critchley had been appointed to the newly created position of Australian Commissioner to Malaya in Kuala Lumpur, noting that while "relations with the authorities in the Federation of Malaya had been conducted through the Australian Commissioner in South-East Asia, Sir Alan Watt, ... the Australian Government believed that it was appropriate for Australia to have a full-time representative in Kuala Lumpur in the Federation of Malaya as important constitutional developments were carrying the Federation of Malaya to self-government."[1]

Australia was one of 15 countries to establish formal diplomatic relations with the Federation of Malaya in 1957 soon after independence, with the Australian commissioner to Malaya appointed high commissioner from 31 August 1957.[2][3][4] With the formation of the Federation of Malaysia on 16 September 1963, the Australian high commissioner to Malaya in Kuala Lumpur became a high commissioner, with the Australian Commissioner for Singapore, Brunei, Sarawak, and North Borneo resident in Singapore becoming a subordinate Deputy High Commission until it was replaced by a high commissioner to an independent Singapore from 9 August 1965.[5]

In 1973, as part of an effort to showcase Australian design in overseas diplomatic missions, the Commonwealth Government of Gough Whitlam commissioned Joyce Nankivell Associates, architects of Melbourne, to design the new High Commission chancery at 6 Jalan Yap Kwan Seng, Kampung Baru, Kuala Lumpur.[6] Designed in a bold Brutalist style with an L-shape plan by Bernard Joyce and William Nankivell in association with local architects Leong Thian & Rakan-rakan, on 29 January 1974 Prime Minister Whitlam turned the first sod at the construction site during an official visit to Malaysia, and the completed building was officially opened on 12 June 1978.[7][8][9]

On 30 July 1979, the Australian high commissioner to Malaysia was appointed as the non-resident Commissioner to Brunei, with a stated purpose to "facilitate contacts and closer cooperation with the Government of Brunei during the period leading up to Brunei's full independence in 1983".[10] A resident Australian Commission in Brunei was established in March 1983 in anticipation of Brunei's independence on 1 January 1984.[11][12]

Heads of mission

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No. 33 Jalan Langgak Golf, Kuala Lumpur, official residence of the Australian High Commissioner.
# Officeholder Title Other offices Residency Term start date Term end date Time in office Notes
1 Claude Massey Commissioner for Malaya and South-East Asia n/a Singapore 21 March 1946 (1946-03-21) 16 May 1950 (1950-05-16) 4 years, 56 days [13][14]
2 Laurence McIntyre (Acting) 16 May 1950 (1950-05-16) 10 April 1951 (1951-04-10) 329 days [13]
3 Tom Critchley 11 April 1951 (1951-04-11) 8 November 1952 (1952-11-08) 1 year, 211 days [13]
4 Laurence McIntyre 9 November 1952 (1952-11-09) 23 March 1954 (1954-03-23) 1 year, 134 days [13]
5 Alan Watt 23 March 1954 (1954-03-23) 22 December 1955 (1955-12-22) 1 year, 274 days [13]
(3) Tom Critchley High Commissioner A Kuala Lumpur 22 December 1955 (1955-12-22) 2 November 1965 (1965-11-02) 9 years, 315 days [1][2][15][5][16]
6 Nick Parkinson (Acting) n/a 2 November 1965 (1965-11-02) December 1965 (1965-12) 0 months [17]
7 Allan Eastman December 1965 (1965-12) 6 June 1969 (1969-06-06) 3 years, 6 months [18][19][20][21]
8 John Rowland July 1969 (1969-07) December 1972 (1972-12) 3 years, 5 months [22][23]
9 Alfred Parsons January 1973 (1973-01) April 1976 (1976-04) 3 years, 3 months [24][25][26]
10 Graham Feakes B April 1976 (1976-04) April 1980 (1980-04) 4 years [27][28][29][10]
11 Garry Woodard B April 1980 (1980-04) January 1984 (1984-01) 3 years, 9 months [30][31]
12 David Evans n/a January 1984 (1984-01) March 1987 (1987-03) 3 years, 2 months [32]
13 Cavan Hogue March 1987 (1987-03) May 1990 (1990-05) 3 years, 2 months [33]
14 Frank Murray May 1990 (1990-05) March 1993 (1993-03) 2 years, 10 months [34][35]
15 John Dauth March 1993 (1993-03) March 1996 (1996-03) 3 years [36][37]
16 Bill Farmer March 1996 (1996-03) March 1997 (1997-03) 1 year [38]
17 Bob Cotton March 1997 (1997-03) February 2000 (2000-02) 2 years, 11 months [39]
18 Peter Varghese February 2000 (2000-02) January 2003 (2003-01) 2 years, 11 months [40]
19 James Wise January 2003 (2003-01) March 2007 (2007-03) 4 years, 2 months [41]
20 Penny Williams March 2007 (2007-03) 5 May 2010 (2010-05-05) 3 years, 2 months [42]
21 Miles Kupa 5 May 2010 (2010-05-05) 26 November 2013 (2013-11-26) 3 years, 205 days [43]
22 Rod Smith 26 November 2013 (2013-11-26) 20 November 2017 (2017-11-20) 3 years, 359 days [44]
23 Andrew Goledzinowski 20 November 2017 (2017-11-20) June 2021 (2021-06) 3 years, 6 months [45]
24 Dr Justin Lee 1 July 2021 (2021-07-01) Incumbent 3 years, 134 days [46][47]

Notes

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^A Commissioner to Malaya until 31 August 1957; High Commissioner to Malaya until 16 September 1963.
^B Also non-resident Commissioner to Brunei, 1979–1983.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Australian Commissioner in Malaya". Current Notes on International Affairs. 26 (11). Department of External Affairs: 777–778. November 1955. Retrieved 11 November 2022 – via National Library of Australia (Trove).
  2. ^ a b "Diplomatic Relations with Malaya". Current Notes on International Affairs. 28 (8). Department of External Affairs: 645. August 1957. Retrieved 11 November 2022 – via National Library of Australia (Trove).
  3. ^ CA 2984: Australian High Commission, Malaya [Kuala Lumpur], National Archives of Australia, retrieved 11 November 2022
  4. ^ CA 2985:Australian High Commission, Malaysia [Kuala Lumpur], National Archives of Australia, retrieved 16 April 2015
  5. ^ a b "Representation - Australian Representation Overseas". Current Notes on International Affairs. 34 (10). Department of External Affairs: 68. October 1963. Retrieved 6 November 2022.
  6. ^ "Architects for new Embassy Buildings". Australian Foreign Affairs Record. 44 (9): 619–620. September 1973. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
  7. ^ Edquist, Harriett (2011). "William H Nankivell Collection" (PDF). RMIT Design Archives Journal. 1 (2). RMIT Design Archives, RMIT University: 8–13. Retrieved 12 November 2022.
  8. ^ "Australia now: Lights Up - Kuala Lumpur". Australia now - Malaysia. Australian Government. 2022. Retrieved 12 November 2022.
  9. ^ "Trade News". Overseas Trading. 30 (21). Australian Trade Commission: 683. 27 October 1978. Retrieved 12 November 2022 – via National Library of Australia (Trove).
  10. ^ a b "Appointment of Commissioner to Brunei". Australian Foreign Affairs Record. 50 (7). Department of Foreign Affairs: 446–447. July 1979. Retrieved 6 November 2022.
  11. ^ "X - Diplomatic and Consular Relations" (PDF), Australian Year Book of International Law: 456, 1987, archived (PDF) from the original on 17 June 2012, retrieved 4 February 2017
  12. ^ "Opening of Australian Commission in Brunei". Australian Foreign Affairs Record. 54 (2). Department of Foreign Affairs: 81. February 1983. Retrieved 6 November 2022.
  13. ^ a b c d e CA 2950: Australian Commission, Malaya/ (from 1954) Commissioner for South-East Asia [Singapore], National Archives of Australia, retrieved 17 July 2022
  14. ^ "COMMISSIONER TO SINGAPORE". The Advertiser. Adelaide. 4 January 1946. p. 7. Retrieved 15 August 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
  15. ^ "Critchley honoured". The Canberra Times. ACT. 22 November 1965. p. 1.
  16. ^ "Replacing Mr Critchley: Transfer leaves diplomatic void". The Canberra Times. ACT. 17 November 1965. p. 15.
  17. ^ "Representation - Australian Representation Overseas". Current Notes on International Affairs. 36 (11). Department of External Affairs: 796. November 1965. Retrieved 11 November 2022 – via National Library of Australia (Trove).
  18. ^ "Diplomatic Appointments in Malaysia and to London". Current Notes on International Affairs. 36 (10). Department of External Affairs: 650. October 1965. Retrieved 11 November 2022 – via National Library of Australia (Trove).
  19. ^ "New posting for envoys". The Canberra Times. 1 November 1965. p. 3.
  20. ^ "Representation - Australian Representation Overseas". Current Notes on International Affairs. 36 (12). Department of External Affairs: 866. December 1965. Retrieved 11 November 2022 – via National Library of Australia (Trove).
  21. ^ "Representation - Australian Representation Overseas". Current Notes on International Affairs. 40 (6). Department of External Affairs: 340. June 1969. Retrieved 11 November 2022 – via National Library of Australia (Trove).
  22. ^ "Envoy to Malaysia named". The Canberra Times. 15 March 1969. p. 3.
  23. ^ "Representation - Australian Representation Overseas". Current Notes on International Affairs. 40 (7). Department of External Affairs: 110. July 1969. Retrieved 11 November 2022 – via National Library of Australia (Trove).
  24. ^ "Diplomatic postings listed". The Canberra Times. 18 November 1972. p. 8.
  25. ^ "Head of Mission Appointments". Australian Foreign Affairs Record. 43 (11). Department of Foreign Affairs: 584. November 1972. Retrieved 11 November 2022 – via National Library of Australia (Trove).
  26. ^ "Representation - Australian Representation Overseas". Australian Foreign Affairs Record. 44 (2). Department of Foreign Affairs: 144. February 1973. Retrieved 11 November 2022 – via National Library of Australia (Trove).
  27. ^ "New envoy to Malaysia". The Canberra Times. 29 March 1976. p. 3.
  28. ^ "Appointment of High Commissioner to Malaysia". Australian Foreign Affairs Record. 47 (3). Department of Foreign Affairs: 170. March 1976. Retrieved 11 November 2022 – via National Library of Australia (Trove).
  29. ^ "Australian Representation Overseas". Australian Foreign Affairs Record. 47 (5). Department of Foreign Affairs: 276. May 1976. Retrieved 11 November 2022 – via National Library of Australia (Trove).
  30. ^ "Diplomatic appointments". Australian Foreign Affairs Record. 51 (1). Department of Foreign Affairs: 679. December 1979 – January 1980. Retrieved 11 November 2022 – via National Library of Australia (Trove).
  31. ^ "Australian Representation Overseas". Australian Foreign Affairs Record. 51 (5). Department of Foreign Affairs: 176. May 1980. Retrieved 11 November 2022 – via National Library of Australia (Trove).
  32. ^ "High Commissioner to Malaysia". Australian Foreign Affairs Record. 55 (1). Department of Foreign Affairs: 46. January 1984. Retrieved 11 November 2022 – via National Library of Australia (Trove).
  33. ^ "High Commissioner to Malaysia". Australian Foreign Affairs Record. 58 (3). Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: 167. March 1987. Retrieved 11 November 2022 – via National Library of Australia (Trove).
  34. ^ "Envoy appointed". The Canberra Times. 23 April 1990. p. 4.
  35. ^ Duffy, Michael (22 April 1990). "Diplomatic appointment - Malaysia" (Media Release). ParlInfo: Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government. Retrieved 11 November 2022.
  36. ^ "Dauth posted to Malaysia". The Canberra Times. 27 March 1993. p. 4.
  37. ^ Evans, Gareth (26 March 1993). "Diplomatic appointment: Malaysia" (Media Release). ParlInfo: Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government. Retrieved 11 November 2022.
  38. ^ McMullan, Bob (12 January 1996). "Diplomatic appointment: High Commissioner to Malaysia [Mr William Farmer]" (Media Release). ParlInfo: Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government. Retrieved 11 November 2022.
  39. ^ Downer, Alexander (25 March 1997). "Diplomatic Appointment: High Commissioner to Malaysia" (Press release). Australian Government. Archived from the original on 12 February 2014.
  40. ^ Downer, Alexander (4 November 1999). "Diplomatic Appointment: High Commissioner to Malaysia" (Press release). Australian Government. Archived from the original on 12 February 2014.
  41. ^ Downer, Alexander (23 October 2002). "Diplomatic Appointment: High Commissioner to Malaysia" (Press release). Australian Government. Archived from the original on 12 February 2014.
  42. ^ Downer, Alexander (30 January 2007). "Diplomatic Appointment – High Commissioner to Malaysia" (Press release). Australian Government. Archived from the original on 12 February 2014.
  43. ^ Smith, Stephen (5 May 2010). "Diplomatic Appointment - High Commissioner to Malaysia" (Press release). Australian Government. Archived from the original on 25 March 2014.
  44. ^ Bishop, Julie (26 November 2013). "High Commissioner to Malaysia" (Press release). Australian Government. Archived from the original on 2 August 2014.
  45. ^ Bishop, Julie (20 November 2017). "High Commissioner to Malaysia" (Press release). Australian Government. Archived from the original on 16 March 2018.
  46. ^ Payne, Marise (25 June 2021). "High Commissioner to Malaysia". Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australian Government. Archived from the original (Media Release) on 29 July 2021. Retrieved 11 November 2022.
  47. ^ Gopinath, Anandhi (8 November 2021). "Newly minted Australian High Commissioner to Malaysia Dr Justin Lee to strengthen trade relationship between two countries through agriculture". The Edge. Retrieved 11 November 2022.
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