Dennis Richardson (diplomat)
Encyclopedia
Dennis James Richardson AO
(born 1947 in Kempsey
, New South Wales
, Australia
) is an Australia
n public servant. He is the current Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
. He previously served as the Australian Ambassador to the United States from 2005 to 2010.
Before being appointed as ambassador, Richardson served in Australia's foreign service, was the Principal Adviser to the Prime Minister
, Head of the Review of the Intelligence Community, served various roles in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
, Deputy Secretary of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (1993–96), and Director-General of Security
of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation
from October 1996. In 2003, Richardson was made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO). He attended Sydney University where he received a Bachelor of Arts
with Honours.
Richardson's wife is Betty, with whom he has two children. During his tenure as Ambassador he traveled widely throughout the US, visiting all 50 states, but not as most diplomats did. Instead of flying to the states -- Hawaii being the only exception -- he and his wife drove. They visited the National Parks such as Texas' Big Bend and visited local spots in small towns. He described it as getting to know America and its people up close. In just about every place they were made welcome by the people.
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
(born 1947 in Kempsey
Kempsey, New South Wales
Kempsey is a town in the Mid North Coast region of New South Wales, Australia and is the council seat for Kempsey Shire. It is located 15 kilometres inland from the coast of the Pacific Ocean where the Pacific Highway and the North Coast railway line cross the Macleay River...
, New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
) is an Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n public servant. He is the current Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Australia)
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is a department of the government of Australia charged with advancing the interests of Australia and its citizens internationally...
. He previously served as the Australian Ambassador to the United States from 2005 to 2010.
Before being appointed as ambassador, Richardson served in Australia's foreign service, was the Principal Adviser to the Prime Minister
Prime Minister of Australia
The Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia is the highest minister of the Crown, leader of the Cabinet and Head of Her Majesty's Australian Government, holding office on commission from the Governor-General of Australia. The office of Prime Minister is, in practice, the most powerful...
, Head of the Review of the Intelligence Community, served various roles in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Australia)
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is a department of the government of Australia charged with advancing the interests of Australia and its citizens internationally...
, Deputy Secretary of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (1993–96), and Director-General of Security
Director-General of Security
The Director-General of Security is the executive officer of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation , the domestic security agency of Australia...
of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation
Australian Security Intelligence Organisation
The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation is Australia's national security service, which is responsible for the protection of the country and its citizens from espionage, sabotage, acts of foreign interference, politically-motivated violence, attacks on the Australian defence system, and...
from October 1996. In 2003, Richardson was made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO). He attended Sydney University where he received a Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
with Honours.
Richardson's wife is Betty, with whom he has two children. During his tenure as Ambassador he traveled widely throughout the US, visiting all 50 states, but not as most diplomats did. Instead of flying to the states -- Hawaii being the only exception -- he and his wife drove. They visited the National Parks such as Texas' Big Bend and visited local spots in small towns. He described it as getting to know America and its people up close. In just about every place they were made welcome by the people.