Richard Smith (diplomat)
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14 December 1934
Richard Smith | |
|---|---|
| High Commissioner to the United Kingdom | |
| In office March 1991 – April 1994 | |
| Preceded by | Doug McClelland |
| Succeeded by | Neal Blewett |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Richard John Smith 14 December 1934 |
| Died | 26 July 2015 (aged 80) |
| Alma mater | University of Sydney |
| Occupation | Public servant, diplomat |
Richard John Smith AM (14 December 1934 – 26 July 2015) was an Australian 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]