MANILA – Australia has appointed Marc Innes-Brown PSM as its next ambassador to the Philippines, its Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) announced Wednesday.
The seasoned diplomat, who will succeed outgoing Australian Ambassador to the Philippines HK Yu PSM, is a senior career officer who has served overseas as Australia’s Ambassador to Türkiye, Iran, and Iraq, and had previous postings in Thailand and the United States.
“Foreign Minister Wong has announced the next Australian Ambassador to the Philippines. Mabuhay my dear friend and Ambassador-designate Marc Innes-Brown PSM,” Yu said in a post on X on Thursday.
“I wish you all the best over the next three years as you advance the Australia-Philippine Strategic Partnership.”
In a readout dated July 6, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong thanked outgoing Ambassador Yu and acknowledged her contributions to advancing Australia’s interests in the Philippines since 2022.
“Australia and the Philippines share a long partnership and a deep friendship built on mutual trust and cooperation, and a commitment to a peaceful, stable and prosperous region,” she said.
“Our Strategic Partnership underpins our close cooperation in defence and security, trade and investment, development, education and the energy transition.”
Wong underscored the importance Canberra places on its relations with Manila and highlighted their strong people-to-people ties, with over 400,000 people of Filipino descent making up the fifth largest migrant community in Australia. (PNA)