MANILA — Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has appointed Ewen McDonald to head its new Office of the Pacific.
In a news release, Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Marise Payne described the move to establish the office as a reflection of the “Australian government’s commitment to take our engagement with the Pacific to a new level.” Observers pointed to a growing recognition of the Pacific’s role in Australian foreign policy and the need to maintain influence in the region amid increasing Chinese investments as motivating factors.
McDonald is a senior officer within DFAT and previously served as its deputy secretary. Prior to the appointment, he was high commissioner to New Zealand. In his new role, he is expected to engage directly with stakeholders in the Pacific on Australian development assistance, and potentially provide oversight on major initiatives. In November, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the creation of the $2 billion Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific, which is aimed at supporting infrastructure development in the region. The facility is expected to be operational by July 2019.