Former defence minister — and Albanese ally — Stephen Smith can be Australia’s subsequent excessive commissioner to the UK.
Former defence and overseas affairs minister — and Anthony Albanese ally — Stephen Smith has been appointed to be Australia’s subsequent Excessive Commissioner to the UK — a plum posting historically reserved for political mates of the federal government.
Smith will take up his posting early subsequent 12 months after finishing the Defence Strategic Evaluation — a job for which he was hand-picked by Albanese.
Smith’s appointment follows a high-quality custom which noticed the previous Coalition authorities appoint former attorney-general George Brandis to the London position. Different former excessive commissioners embody Howard authorities ministers Richard Alston and Alexander Downer.
