Dennis Richardson (diplomat)
| Dennis Richardson AO | |
|---|---|
|
Richardson, pictured as the Australian Ambassador to the United States | |
| Secretary of the Department of Defence | |
|
Assumed office 18 October 2012 | |
| Preceded by | Duncan Lewis |
| Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade | |
|
In office January 2010 – 18 October 2012 | |
| Preceded by | Michael L'Estrange |
| Succeeded by | Peter Varghese |
| Australian Ambassador to the United States | |
|
In office 2005–2010 | |
| Preceded by | Michael Thawley |
| Succeeded by | Kim Beazley |
| 10th Director-General of Security | |
|
In office 11 October 1996 – 27 May 2005 | |
| Prime Minister | John Howard |
| Preceded by | David Sadleir |
| Succeeded by | Paul O'Sullivan |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Dennis James Richardson 14 May 1947 Kempsey, New South Wales |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Spouse(s) | Betty Richardson |
| Alma mater | University of Sydney (BA hons) |
| Profession |
Diplomat public servant |
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Dennis James Richardson AO (born 14 May 1947 in Kempsey, New South Wales)[1] is an Australian public servant and former diplomat. Richardson is currently the Secretary of the Department of Defence, since 18 October 2012.
Background and career
Richardson attended The University of Sydney where he received a Bachelor of Arts with Honours (1965–68).[2] He started his Australian Public Service career in the Department of External Affairs in 1969.[3]
In the Australian foreign service, Richardson was a Principal Adviser to the Prime Minister, and Head of the Review of the Intelligence Community. He held various roles in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, was a Deputy Secretary at the Department of Immigration and Ethnic Affairs (1993–96), and Director-General of Security of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation from October 1996.
He was previously Australian Ambassador to the United States of America (2005–10) and Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (2010–12).[4] While Australian Ambassador to the US, he visited all 50 states; instead of flying to all the states—except for Hawaii—he and his wife drove. In just about every place, he says they were made welcome by the American people.[5]
In 2003, Richardson was appointed as an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for service to the community in a range of public policy areas including foreign policy, immigration and security.[6]
Personal
Richardson is married to Betty, and has two children: Mark; and Natalie.[2]
References
- ↑ "Mr Dennis J Richardson AO – Ambassador to United States of America". Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Retrieved 13 June 2008.
- 1 2 The Great APS Graduate Debate 2011 (PDF), 2 August 2011, p. 7, archived from the original (PDF) on 5 February 2014
- ↑ Flitton, Daniel (16 January 2010). "Bureaucratic heavyweights from Class of '69". The Age. Fairfax Media. p. 3. Archived from the original on 31 January 2015.
- ↑ Kerr, Christian (13 August 2008). "Dennis Richardson to DFAT as Rudd purges public service posts". The Australian.
- ↑ "Aussie diplomat makes U.S. road trip". Washington Times. 1 July 2009.
- ↑ "RICHARDSON, Dennis James: Officer of the Order of Australia". It's an Honour. Commonwealth of Australia. 9 June 2003. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Dennis Richardson (diplomat). |
| Diplomatic posts | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Michael Thawley |
Australian Ambassador to the United States 2005–2010 |
Succeeded by Kim Beazley |
| Government offices | ||
| Preceded by David Sadleir |
Director-General of Security 1996–2005 |
Succeeded by Paul O'Sullivan |
| Preceded by Michael L'Estrange |
Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade 2010–2012 |
Succeeded by Peter Varghese |
| Preceded by Duncan Lewis |
Secretary of the Department of Defence 2012–present |
Incumbent |