New Consuls-General in the UAE, the USA and Germany

Today I am pleased to announce the appointment of new Consuls-General in the UAE, the USA and Germany.

Bryony Hilless will take up the role of Consul-General and General Manager, Middle East and Africa, Christopher Ketter takes up the role of Consul-General and Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner in San Francisco and Kelly Matthews will take up the role of Consul-General and Trade and Investment Commissioner in Frankfurt.

Bryony Hilless brings a wealth of experience from her previous senior executive roles at Trade and Investment Queensland where she was responsible for leading Trade and Investment Queensland's business engagement with Dubai Expo. Her experience will be pivotal supporting the government's trade diversification agenda in the Middle East.

Christopher Ketter is a former Australian Senator and is currently Senior Adviser to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, the Hon. Richard Marles. He brings extensive experience across government, and in the defence industry and critical technologies sector, which will help bolster Australia's AUKUS objectives.

Kelly Matthews is currently a Trade and Investment Commissioner in Abu Dhabi, where she manages the Australian government's education, defence industry and space sector commercial initiatives across the Middle East and Africa region. With more than 20 year's experience with the Australian Government, representing Australia in a range of diplomatic roles around the world, she is well placed to drive foreign investment.

I thank outgoing Consuls-General and General Manager, Middle East and Arica, Ian Halliday, Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner, San Francisco, Nick Nichles and Trade and Investment Commissioner, Frankfurt, Anna Fedeles, for their service in advancing Australia's trade and investment efforts across their respective regions.

The calibre of these appointments underpins the Government's commitment to boosting exports and foreign investment, leading to more well-paying jobs, more national income, and more opportunities for business and workers.