New Consuls-General appointed to key Austrade posts

We are pleased to announce the appointment of two new Consuls-General to Austrade posts in Milan and Houston.

These two appointees will promote Australia's trade and investment links with important commercial centres across the network of Australian diplomatic network.

Ms Naila Mazzucco will be Australia's new Consul-General in Milan, Italy, beginning in July; while Mr Benson Saulo will take up the Consul-General position in Houston, Texas in December. Mr Saulo will be the first Indigenous Australian appointed as an Austrade Consul-General.

Naila Mazzucco has extensive experience in international business and government. She was previously Trade Commissioner in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, and a Trade Commissioner in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

She has also worked in various roles with Austrade in Australia and for the Western Australian and Victorian Governments in Perth, Melbourne and London. Prior to joining the public sector, Ms Mazzucco held positions with the Wren Partnership Marketing Communications, R&M Consultants in Japan and the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France.

Benson Saulo is a proud descendant of the Wemba Wemba, Jardwadjali and Gunditjmara Aboriginal nations and has had an extensive career across the not-for-profit and private sectors.

He has most recently worked as Head of Partnerships — Investments at Australian Unity and has held a number of senior positions within the private sector, including seven years at ANZ Bank, as well as Good Sheppard Microfinance, and PwC Indigenous Consulting.

The calibre of these appointments underpins the Government’s commitment to boosting exports and attracting foreign investment in a COVID-safe world that will grow our economy and increase jobs for Australians.

We thank Mr Peter McGauran who will finish up his role as Consul General and Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner in Houston in December. During his time in Houston, Mr McGauran has played a pivotal role in enhancing investment ties between the US and Australia, particularly in the mining and resources sector.

We would also like to thank Ms Sheila Lunter who has been the A/g Consul General and Trade and Investment Commissioner in Milan since early 2019. Ms Lunter has led the Australian Government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Northern Italy and will return to Australia in July to take up a role as Trade Commissioner for the Pacific.

Consulates provide a range of services to Australian citizens including consular services, trade and investment assistance and representing Australia's interests in major cities across the world where an Embassy is not present.