Former Tasmanian Labor MP Michelle O'Byrne will be Australia's next gender equality ambassador following years of advocacy to advance women's rights.
Ms O'Byrne served as the federal member for Bass from 1998 to 2004 and then as the state member for Bass in the Tasmanian parliament from 2006 to 2025.
Her ministerial portfolios spanned women and the prevention of family violence, education, workplace relations, emergency services, communities and economic development.
She advocated for the decriminalisation of abortion in Tasmania, the establishment of safe access zones around abortion clinics and reforms to address family violence.
She most recently served as the speaker of the Tasmanian House of Assembly before her retirement from parliament prior to the state election in July.
The ambassador for gender equality aims to drive Australia's efforts to end gender-based violence, promote economic equality and inclusive trade, support women's participation in climate and humanitarian action and champion women's leadership across the Indo-Pacific.
Former ambassador Stephanie Copus Campbell has served in the role since 2023.
Ms O'Byrne's lifetime of advocacy for women's rights and her experience driving progressive reform would ensure she was a powerful voice for gender equality in the region, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said.
"Gender equality is a stronger predictor of peace than a nation's wealth or political system and we know that peace agreements are more likely to last when women can participate in them," she said.
"That's why advancing gender equality is critical to Australia's work to promote peace, security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific."
