United States Ambassador to Australia
Encyclopedia
The position of United States Ambassador to Australia has existed since 1940. U.S.-Australian relations have been close throughout the history of Australia
. Before World War II
Australia was closely aligned with the United Kingdom
, but it has strengthened its relationship with the United States
since 1942, as Britain's influence in Asia has declined and the United States' influence has increased. At the governmental level, United States-Australia relationships are formalised by the ANZUS
treaty and Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement
.
The Embassy in Canberra
has always been regarded as a desirable posting and hence has become a patronage position. U.S. Ambassadors to Australia have traditionally been friends, political allies or former business associates of the President of the day. Some have been major donors to the President's election campaign or political party. Few have been career diplomats (Marshall Green
was a conspicuous exception). The two Ambassadors during the Bush
Administration, for example, were Tom Schieffer
, a former business associate of President Bush, and Robert McCallum, Jr.
, a Bush college friend.
This arrangement has suited Australian governments, which welcome the ability of such Ambassadors to gain direct access to the President, bypassing the State Department.
Jeff Bleich
was confirmed to be United States Ambassador to Australia on November 10, 2009. He succeeded career diplomat and chargé d'affaires
, Mr. Daniel Clune.
Source: U.S. State Department
History of Australia
The History of Australia refers to the history of the area and people of Commonwealth of Australia and its preceding Indigenous and colonial societies. Aboriginal Australians are believed to have first arrived on the Australian mainland by boat from the Indonesian archipelago between 40,000 to...
. Before World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
Australia was closely aligned with the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, but it has strengthened its relationship with the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
since 1942, as Britain's influence in Asia has declined and the United States' influence has increased. At the governmental level, United States-Australia relationships are formalised by the ANZUS
ANZUS
The Australia, New Zealand, United States Security Treaty is the military alliance which binds Australia and New Zealand and, separately, Australia and the United States to cooperate on defence matters in the Pacific Ocean area, though today the treaty is understood to relate to attacks...
treaty and Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement
Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement
The Australia – United States Free Trade Agreement is a preferential trade agreement between Australia and the United States modelled on the North American Free Trade Agreement . The free trade agreement was signed on 18 May 2004, ratified by the U.S. House of Representatives on 14 July 2004 by a...
.
The Embassy in Canberra
Canberra
Canberra is the capital city of Australia. With a population of over 345,000, it is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth-largest city overall. The city is located at the northern end of the Australian Capital Territory , south-west of Sydney, and north-east of Melbourne...
has always been regarded as a desirable posting and hence has become a patronage position. U.S. Ambassadors to Australia have traditionally been friends, political allies or former business associates of the President of the day. Some have been major donors to the President's election campaign or political party. Few have been career diplomats (Marshall Green
Marshall Green
Marshall Green was a United States diplomat whose career focused on East Asia. Green was the senior American diplomat in South Korea at the time of the 1960 April Revolution, and was United States Ambassador to Indonesia at the time of the Transition to the New Order...
was a conspicuous exception). The two Ambassadors during the Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
Administration, for example, were Tom Schieffer
Tom Schieffer
John Thomas Schieffer, known as Tom Schieffer , is an American diplomat who served as U.S. Ambassador to Japan from 2005 to 2009 and as U.S. Ambassador to Australia from 2001 to 2005. Schieffer is a friend and former business partner of President George W. Bush. He is the younger brother of Bob...
, a former business associate of President Bush, and Robert McCallum, Jr.
Robert McCallum, Jr.
Robert D. McCallum. Jr. was the United States Ambassador to Australia. He was sworn into this position on 21 July 2006, after his appointment by President George W. Bush was confirmed by the United States Senate. He arrived in Australia on 18 August and presented his credentials to the...
, a Bush college friend.
This arrangement has suited Australian governments, which welcome the ability of such Ambassadors to gain direct access to the President, bypassing the State Department.
Jeff Bleich
Jeff Bleich
Jeffrey Laurence "Jeff" Bleich is an American lawyer from California who is the United States Ambassador to Australia. Formerly a partner at the firm of Munger, Tolles & Olson, Bleich is a longtime friend of President Barack Obama...
was confirmed to be United States Ambassador to Australia on November 10, 2009. He succeeded career diplomat and chargé d'affaires
Chargé d'affaires
In diplomacy, chargé d’affaires , often shortened to simply chargé, is the title of two classes of diplomatic agents who head a diplomatic mission, either on a temporary basis or when no more senior diplomat has been accredited.-Chargés d’affaires:Chargés d’affaires , who were...
, Mr. Daniel Clune.
United States Ambassadors to Australia
- Clarence E. GaussClarence E. GaussClarence Edward Gauss was an American diplomat. Gauss was born in Washington, D.C., as the son of Herman Gauss and Emile J. Gauss. He married Rebecca Louise Barker in 1917. He was a Republican and a Protestant....
(1940–41) - Nelson T. JohnsonNelson T. JohnsonNelson Trusler Johnson was the United States ambassador to the Republic of China prior to World War II, and to Australia during World War II.-Early life and career:...
(1941–45) - Robert ButlerRobert Butler (diplomat)Robert Butler was the United States Ambassador to Australia and Cuba .-Reference:*http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/2818758?searchTerm=Robert%20Butler&searchLimits=...
(1946–48) - Myron M. Cowen (1948–49)
- Pete JarmanPete JarmanPeterson Bryant Jarman was a U.S. Representative from Alabama.-Early life:Born in Greensboro, Alabama, Jarman attended the public schools, the Normal College, Livingston, Alabama, and Southern University, Greensboro, Alabama...
(1949–53) - Amos J. Peaslee (1953–56)
- Douglas M. Moffat (1956)
- William J. SebaldWilliam J. SebaldWilliam J. Sebald served as United States Ambassador to Burma from April 1952 to July 1954, and to Australia from 1957 to 1961.-External links:*...
(1957–61) - William C. BattleWilliam C. BattleWilliam Cullen Battle was a lawyer, businessman, United States Ambassador to Australia, and president of the United States Golf Association....
(1962–64) - Ed ClarkEdward Clark (diplomat)Edward Aubrey Clark served as the United States Ambassador to Australia from 1965 to 1968. Mr. Ed., as he was known to those who worked with him, was a taciturn man with a slight lisp who was able by position and hard work to influence both local and national policy.-Notes:...
(1965–67) - William H. Crook (1968–69)
- Walter L. Rice (1969–73)
- Marshall GreenMarshall GreenMarshall Green was a United States diplomat whose career focused on East Asia. Green was the senior American diplomat in South Korea at the time of the 1960 April Revolution, and was United States Ambassador to Indonesia at the time of the Transition to the New Order...
(1973–75) - James W. Hargrove (1976–77)
- Philip H. Alston (1977–81)
- Robert D. NesenRobert D. NesenRobert Dean Nesen was an American car dealer who served as United States Assistant Secretary of the Navy from 1972 to 1974 and as United States Ambassador to Australia from 1981 to 1985.-Biography:...
(1981–85) - Laurence W. Lane (1985–89)
- Melvin F. SemblerMel SemblerMelvin Floyd Sembler is former United States Ambassador to Italy , and former Ambassador to Australia and Nauru . He has also served as Chairman of the Board of the Sembler Company, which develops and manages shopping centers, and co-founder of Straight, Inc., a controversial drug-treatment center...
(1989–93) - Edward J. PerkinsEdward J. PerkinsEdward Joseph Perkins is a former American diplomat. He served as U.S. Ambassador to Liberia, South Africa, and the United Nations 1992-1993. He was later Director of the US State Department's Diplomatic Corps....
(1993–96) - Genta H. HolmesGenta H. HolmesGenta Hawkins Holmes is an American professor in diplomacy and former American foreign service officer and ambassador. She is currently teaching A Practicum in Diplomacy at the University of California, Davis....
(1997–2000) - Edward W. Gnehm (2000–01)
- Thomas Schieffer (2001–05)
- Robert McCallum, Jr.Robert McCallum, Jr.Robert D. McCallum. Jr. was the United States Ambassador to Australia. He was sworn into this position on 21 July 2006, after his appointment by President George W. Bush was confirmed by the United States Senate. He arrived in Australia on 18 August and presented his credentials to the...
(2006–09) - Jeff BleichJeff BleichJeffrey Laurence "Jeff" Bleich is an American lawyer from California who is the United States Ambassador to Australia. Formerly a partner at the firm of Munger, Tolles & Olson, Bleich is a longtime friend of President Barack Obama...
(2009- )
Source: U.S. State Department
See also
- List of Australian Ambassadors to the United States
- Embassy of Australia, Washington, D.C.
- Australia – United States relations
- Foreign relations of AustraliaForeign relations of AustraliaThe foreign relations of Australia have spanned from the country's time as Dominion and later Realm of the Commonwealth to become steadfastly allied with New Zealand through long-standing ANZAC ties dating back to the early 1900s, and the United States throughout the Cold War, to its engagement...
- Ambassadors of the United States