Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong has appointed carerr officer Amanda McGregor as Australia’s next special representative for Afghanistan based in Qatar, succeeding Glenn Miles.
“Wer will work with like-minded countries to call out the Taliban on its abuse of human rights and support the people of Afghanistan”, Penny Wong said in a statement.
“Our diplomats are the drivers of Australia’s engagement with the world. They build influence and advance Australia’s national interests abroad”, she added.
Afghanistan continues to face substantial humanitarian and economic challenges, compounded by natural disasters, such as the October 2023 earthquakes and flooding in recent months.
Australia has committed $71 million to assist the most vulnerable people in Afghanistan with humanitarian and basic needs assistance in 2023-2024. This support has been delivered by trusted partners and has a focus on helping women and girls.
Ms McGregor is a career officer with the Australian Public Service and was most recently Deputy Head of Mission, Australian Embassy, Beirut. She has previously served overseas in Kuwait, Jordan and Afghanistan. Before joining the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, McGregor served as a senior adviser to the Canadian embassy and the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. She also spent five years at the Department of Defence.
