AMBASSADOR TO ARGENTINA

Today I announce the appointment of Mr Brett Hackett as Australia’s next Ambassador to Argentina with non-resident accreditation to Paraguay and Uruguay.

Australia and Argentina cooperate closely in areas such as agriculture, mining, education and infrastructure. We work together in multilateral fora such as the Cairns Group within the World Trade Organisation (WTO), the Antarctic Treaty system and through the United Nations.  We are also continuing our engagement with Argentina through the remainder of its hosting of the G20 Presidency this year.   

 

Trade and investment links between our two countries are strong. In 2017, bilateral trade in goods and services with Argentina was worth nearly $1.3 billion, while Australian direct investment in Argentina was $815 million.

 

Australia enjoys close and productive relations with Uruguay and Paraguay, with potential for growth in sectors such as agriculture, education, science and energy.

 

Mr Hackett is a senior career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and was most recently Acting First Assistant Secretary, Americas Division, DFAT. He has previously served overseas as Head of Mission, Australian Embassy, Brasilia; Head of Mission, Australian Embassy, Kabul; Deputy Head of Mission, Australian High Commission, Islamabad; and First Secretary, Australian High Commission, Ottawa. In Canberra he has served in DFAT as Assistant Secretary, Canada and Latin America Branch; Assistant Secretary, Services and Intellectual Property Branch; and Director, Philippines and East Timor Section. Mr Hackett holds a Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Laws from the University of Queensland and speaks Spanish and Portuguese.

 

I thank outgoing Ambassador Noel Campbell for his contributions to advancing Australia’s interests in Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay since 2014.