Former South Australian Premier, Jay Weatherill AO, has been appointed as Australia’s next High Commissioner to the United Kingdom.
Mr Weatherill (pictured) served as South Australia’s 45th Premier from 2011 until 2018. He will replace Stephen Smith as Australia’s top diplomat in London.
In a statement, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that as Premier, Mr Weatherill was instrumental in establishing South Australia’s leadership in the defence industry, including in construction of submarines.
“As a proud South Australian and as our next High Commissioner, Jay is well placed to take forward AUKUS in our nation’s interests,” said the PM.
Mr Weatherill served in the South Australian Parliament for 16 years in portfolios including Treasury, State Development, Education and the Environment.
“I thank outgoing High Commissioner, the Hon Stephen Smith, for his service. Mr Smith has done an excellent job representing Australia’s interests in the UK across a range of security and defence matters. He has taken a leading role in Australia’s work with the Coalition of the Willing in support of Ukraine convened by Prime Minister Starmer and President Macron,” said Mr Albanese.
Mr Weatherill will begin his role in the new year.
