Bill Paterson (diplomat)

William Paterson PSM is a senior career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. He served as the Australian Ambassador to the Republic of Korea until the end of 2016.

Bill Paterson PSM
Born
Ballarat, Victoria
Alma materUniversity of Melbourne (BA)
Occupation(s)Diplomat, public servant

Early life

Paterson was born in Ballarat, Victoria. He received a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) from the University of Melbourne.[1]

Career

Before taking up his position in Korea he was First Assistant Secretary, International Security Division in Canberra and Australian Ambassador for Counter-Terrorism.[2] Prior to this, Paterson was the head of the Australian Government's Iraq Task Force and Anti-Terrorism Task Force.[1][3]

Paterson has previously served as Ambassador to Thailand,[4] Minister at the Australian Embassy in Tokyo, Counsellor at the Australian Embassy in Washington and in earlier postings to Vienna, Baghdad and Dhaka. He was also Chief of Staff to Foreign Minister Alexander Downer in 2000.[5]

Paterson was awarded the Public Service Medal in 2004 and the Humanitarian Overseas Service Medal in 2005.[6]

References
  1. Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. "Ambassador to the Republic of Korea". foreignminister.gov.au. Retrieved 12 May 2016.
  2. Pearlman, Jonathan (10 September 2008). "Terrorism envoy's close calls in fatal attacks". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. Archived from the original on 14 September 2008.
  3. "Profile - United States Studies Centre". ussc.edu.au. Archived from the original on 4 June 2016. Retrieved 12 May 2016.
  4. Downer, Alexander (13 October 2004). "Diplomatic Appointment: Ambassador to Thailand" (Press release). Australian Government. Archived from the original on 12 February 2014.
  5. "Ambassador to Korea (Republic of)". Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Australian Government. Archived from the original on 9 July 2015.
  6. Smith, Stephen (5 September 2008). "Diplomatic Appointment - Ambassador for Counter-Terrorism" (Press release). Australian Government. Archived from the original on 6 April 2015.
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