Australia appoints next ambassador to Zimbabwe

Ms Minoli Perera will replace Ambassador Brontë Moules as the envoy of Australia to Zimbabwe.

“Today I announce the appointment of Ms Minoli Perera as Australia’s next Ambassador to Zimbabwe,” said Australian Foreign Minister Hon Penny Wong in a statement.

Ms Perera is a senior career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade who has served as a chief security officer, and most recently as first assistant secretary, Executive Division.

She has previously served overseas in Beijing, Port Moresby, New York, Buenos Aires and Tel Aviv.

Ms Perera will also be accredited to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Republic of the Congo, Malawi and Zambia.

“Australia is a longstanding friend of the people of Zimbabwe, and we look forward to building on the warm people-to-people and community connections between our countries.

“We recognise the importance of Zimbabwe’s reform agenda to advancing the country’s development, international engagement and new trade and investment opportunities.

Australia will further strengthen engagement with Zimbabwe and countries Ms Won said Australia will strengthen engagement of shared interests including climate change, sustainable development and gender equality.

Ms Won thanked Ms Moules for a job well done during her tour of duty in Zimbabwe since her 2018 appointment. Ms Won also announced that Ms Moules has been appointed as Australia’s inaugural Ambassador for Human Rights