Australia has appointed senior Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) official Jamie Isbister as its next High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, bringing extensive experience in Pacific infrastructure, development and humanitarian policy to the diplomatic post.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong announced Isbister’s appointment on 21 September, describing Australia and PNG as closer than ever and highlighting the Pukpuk Alliance as a reflection of the relationship between the two countries.
Isbister was most recently deputy secretary of DFAT’s Development, Multilateral and Europe Group and has more than 30 years’ experience in foreign, humanitarian and development policy.
His previous work includes senior roles in Australia’s Pacific infrastructure agenda. As first assistant secretary of DFAT’s Strategic Infrastructure Division and deputy head of the Office of the Pacific, Isbister was responsible for infrastructure strategy and represented Australia at international infrastructure forums.
His responsibilities included policy areas linked to the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP), a key Australian vehicle for supporting infrastructure development across the Pacific.
Isbister participated in the 2023 Pacific Infrastructure Conference in Brisbane, organised by the Australia Pacific Islands Business Council in collaboration with the Australia Papua New Guinea Business Council and Australia Fiji Business Council.
He represented the Australian government at a conference session on bilateral infrastructure opportunities in the Blue Pacific, alongside representatives from New Zealand, the United States, Japan and France.
Isbister has also served as Australia’s Ambassador for the Environment, Australian Government Humanitarian Coordinator and Minister Counsellor for Development in Africa.
The Australia Papua New Guinea Business Council said it had previously engaged with Isbister in Canberra on issues affecting Australian businesses operating across the Pacific.
He succeeds Ewen McDonald AM as Australia’s High Commissioner to PNG.
