Meeting on Commonwealth Day, 10th March 2025
Australian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
HE The Honourable Stephen Francis Smith High Commissioner of Australia
Mr Smith was a Member of the Australian Parliament for 20 years as the Federal Member for Perth (1993-2013).
He was the Minister for Defence from 2010 to 2013, Minister for Foreign Affairs (2007-2010), and Minister for Trade in 2010.
In addition, he served as Professor of Public International Law at the University of Western Australia (2014-2022).
Prior to his current appointment, Mr Smith served as one of two Independent Leads of the Australian Government’s Defence Strategic Review (August 2022 – February 2023).
Mr Smith holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of Western Australia.
Mr Smith resided in the UK from September 1979 to March 1983. During that time he completed The Bar Exams and was admitted as a Barrister of the Bar of England and Wales (Middle Temple).
He also completed a Master of Laws (LLM) in Public International Law at London University (LSE).
