Australia’s former ambassador to China has been named as the new secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Jan Adams, who is currently the ambassador to Japan, has been chosen for the new role as the head of DFAT, one of a string of new secretary appointments for the federal public service by the Albanese government.
Ms Adams will commence her new role as the DFAT secretary from July 1. She was previously the country’s climate change ambassador and senior trade negotiator.
Other new appointments include former Infrastructure NSW chief executive Jim Betts being named as the new secretary for the Department of Infrastructure.
Natalie James will be the new Employment and Workplace Relations secretary, while current Treasury deputy secretary Jenny Wilkinson will be the new Finance secretary.
The new appointments are for five-year terms.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said former chief medical officer Brendan Murphy will remain in his role as Health Department secretary.
