Heather Ridout AO has been appointed as Australia’s Consul-General in New York, the first woman to be appointed to this role. A former Chief Executive of the Australian Industry Group, Ms Ridout brings four decades of experience to the role. She is currently Director of Sims Ltd and Director of Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) Limited.

Other newly appointed women include Sophie Davies as Australia’s Ambassador to Brazil, Sonya Koppe as Australia’s High Commissioner to Trinidad and Tobago, Minoli Perera as Australia’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe, and Phoebe Smith as Australia’s High Commissioner to the Cook Islands.

Senator Penny Wong also announced the appointment of Stephanie Copus-Campbell as Australia’s next Ambassador for Gender Equality.  She takes over from the outgoing Ambassador for Women and Girls, Christine Clarke CSC and will deepen Australia’s international engagement on gender equality by advocating the importance of women’s human rights, ending gender-based violence, women’s economic empowerment, and the leadership of women and girls.