New Australian High Commissioner named

Richard Palk has been named Australia's High Commissioner in Malta, replacing Iain Dickie, who has been High Commissioner since February, 2000. Mr Palk is expected to take up his appointment in July.

Australia and Malta share a warm and constructive relationship, underpinned by strong community ties, the Australian High Commission said. Some 180,000 Australians are of Maltese descent and the Maltese community has made an invaluable contribution to Australia's multicultural society.

In recent years, these strong ties have been reinforced through an increasing number of high-level visits, including the visit to Australia last year by the Prime Minister, Eddie Fenech Adami, and Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi.

Australia and Malta have also concluded a number of bilateral agreements, including a Working Holiday Maker Scheme which enables young people to experience each other's cultures.

Traditional people-to-people links have provided a good foundation for cooperation on issues of international importance to Australia and for fostering growing trade.

Two-way trade last financial year stood at A$19 million with a healthy trade surplus for Australia of $10 million. Potential exists for expanding Australian exports to Malta in the areas of telecommunications, solar power and water supply, the high commission said on behalf of the Australian government.

Mr Palk joined the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in 1994 after a 17-year career as a regular army officer with the Australian Defence Force.

He served in Bangkok between 1995-1999, initially as the Counsellor (Public Affairs) and later as Consul-General and Counsellor (Administrative). Between 1999-2002 he served in Kuala Lumpur as Consul-General and Counsellor (Administrative).

He is married to Helen and have two adult daughters.