Today I announce the appointment of Mr Steven Robinson AO as Australia's next Ambassador to the Philippines.
The Philippines and Australia enjoy a strong partnership that goes back more than 70 years, built on close links in trade, defence, education, tourism and migration. We share a commitment to a stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific region and are strengthening ties through increased cooperation to combat regional security threats such as terrorism.
Two-way trade between our two countries was worth $4.8 billion in 2017. Australia is the Philippines' second largest contributor of grant development assistance, estimated at $85.4 million in 2018-19.
Mr Robinson is a senior career officer in the Foreign Affairs and Trade portfolio. Over his extensive career, he has developed and expanded Australia's relationships with a broad range of countries, with a particular focus on the South East Asian region. He has served in Australia's embassies in Jakarta, Yangon and Bangkok and has held a range of senior positions in Canberra across operational and corporate areas.
Mr Robinson holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) and Diploma in Education from the University of Sydney.
I thank outgoing Ambassador Amanda Gorely for her contributions to advancing Australia's interests in the Philippines since 2016.
