Richard Smith (diplomat)
Richard John Smith AM (14 December 1934 – 26 July 2015) was an Australian diplomat.
Richard Smith AM | |
|---|---|
| Born | Richard John Smith 14 December 1934 |
| Died | 26 July 2015 (aged 80) |
| Alma mater | University of Sydney |
| Occupation | 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]
He died on 26 July 2015.[5]
References
- World Who's Who, Europa Biographical Reference.
- Downer, Alexander (28 October 1996). "Diplomatic appointment: Ambassador to the Philippines" (Press release). Archived from the original on 12 February 2014.
- History of the Office of National Assessments – ONA, Office of National Assessments.
- Howard, John (29 May 1996). "Director-General Office of National Assessments (ONA)" (Press release). Australian Government.
- "Richard John Smith". The Canberra Times. 1 August 2015. Retrieved 23 September 2015.
| Diplomatic posts | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Rawdon Dalrymple |
Australian Ambassador to Israel 1975–1977 |
Succeeded by Walter Handmer |
| Preceded by Gordon Jockel |
Australian Ambassador to Thailand 1985–1988 |
Succeeded by Richard Butler |
| Preceded by Doug McClelland |
Australian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom 1991–1994 |
Succeeded by Neal Blewett |
| Preceded by Mack Williams |
Australian Ambassador to the Philippines 1994–1996 |
Succeeded by Miles Kupa |
| Government offices | ||
| Preceded by Philip Flood |
Director-General of the Office of National Assessments 1996–1998 |
Succeeded by Kim Jones |