Description

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As head of Australia’ s consular service, Ian Kemish played a central role in the nation’ s response to some of the most dramatic events of the early twenty-first century, including the September 11 attacks and the Bali bombings. He led the small band of Australian consuls as they confronted the new challenges of global jihadism, supporting families who lost loved ones, and negotiated the release of Australians unjustly detained abroad. In The Consul, Kemish offers a unique and personal perspective on Australia’ s foreign affairs challenges of the last two decades, from hostage diplomacy to natural disasters and evacuations from war zones. This timely and engaging book also asks us to consider how world events have changed the way we travel now and in the future.

About the Author

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Ian Kemish AM served as Australian High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, Ambassador to Germany, Head of the Prime Minister’ s international division, and Head of the consular service in a diplomatic career that spanned 25 years. He was awarded membership of the Order of Australia for his leadership of Australia’ s response to the 2002 Bali bombings. Ian moved to the private sector in 2013, working over the next seven years in executive roles in Washington and Melbourne, to manage and reform social, environmental and stakeholder responsibilities for companies with international operations. Ian Kemish AM served as Australian High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, Ambassador to Germany, Head of the Prime Minister’ s international division, and Head of the consular service in a diplomatic career that spanned 25 years. He was awarded membership of the Order of Australia for his leadership of Australia’ s response to the 2002 Bali bombings. Ian moved to the private sector in 2013, working over the next seven years in executive roles in Washington and Melbourne, to manage and reform social, environmental and stakeholder responsibilities for companies with international operations.