Richard Smith (diplomat)

Richard John Smith AM (14 December 1934 – 26 July 2015) was an Australian diplomat.

For other people with the same name, see Richard Smith.

Richard Smith

AM
Born
Richard John Smith

(1934-12-14)14 December 1934
Tamworth, New South Wales
Died26 July 2015(2015-07-26) (aged 80)
Alma materUniversity of Sydney
Occupation(s)Public servant, diplomat

Smith was born in Tamworth, New South Wales and educated at Sydney High School and the University of Sydney. He worked as a teacher in London in the late 1950s, then as a solicitor in New South Wales, before joining the Australian Department of External Affairs in 1961. He had several postings in the United States, with the United Nations, and in Switzerland.[1]

Smith's first ambassadorial posting was as Ambassador to Israel from 1975 to 1977. He was Ambassador to Thailand from 1985 to 1988, and Ambassador to the Philippines from 1994 to 1996.[2] After serving as Deputy Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra, he was appointed as Australian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom from 1991 to 1994.[1]

From 1996 to 1998, he was the Director-General of the Office of National Assessments, an Australian intelligence agency reporting to the Prime Minister.[3] As head of ONA, he was responsible for advising the Prime Minister and the Government on political, strategic and economic developments affecting Australia's national interests.[4]

In 1997, Smith was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for service to international relations, particularly in the areas of commerce and trade.[5]

He died on 26 July 2015.[6]

References
  1. World Who's Who, Europa Biographical Reference.
  2. Downer, Alexander (28 October 1996). "Diplomatic appointment: Ambassador to the Philippines" (Press release). Archived from the original on 12 February 2014.
  3. History of the Office of National Assessments – ONA, Office of National Assessments.
  4. Howard, John (29 May 1996). "Director-General Office of National Assessments (ONA)" (Press release). Australian Government.
  5. "Member of the Order of Australia (AM) entry for Mr Richard John SMITH". It's an Honour, Australian Honours Database. Canberra, Australia: Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 9 June 1997. Retrieved 10 November 2022. FOR SERVICE TO INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, PARTICULARLY IN THE AREAS OF COMMERCE AND TRADE. AM S191 1997
  6. "Richard John Smith". The Canberra Times. 1 August 2015. Retrieved 23 September 2015.
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