By Staff Writer

The Federal Government today announced the appointment of Ms Louise Hand as Australia’s new Ambassador for Climate Change.

The role of Australia’s Ambassador for Climate Change is to lead Australian negotiations within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and to head up the International Division of the Department of Climate Change (DCC).

Minister for Climate Change and Water, Senator Penny Wong and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Stephen Smith announced Ms Hand will commence her appointment later this month.

Ms Hand will replace outgoing Ambassador for Climate Change, Jan Adams, who will return to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) to tackle trade negotiations.

Previously the Minister and Deputy Chief of Mission at the Australian Embassy in Jakarta, Ms Hand has also served in senior positions in DFAT and in overseas postings, including a stint as the Australian Ambassador to Cambodia. 

Ms Hand featured recently in the Australia Day Honours list having received a Public Service Medal for outstanding public service.