Nick Greiner named as New York consul-general

Marise Payne confirmed the former NSW premier’s widely anticipated appointment, noting his ‘extensive, diverse experience’.

Nick Greiner says he is ‘delighted to have the opportunity to serve in New York at a very challenging time for the US’. Picture: Kym Smith

Former NSW premier Nick Greiner has been named as Australia’s consul-general in New York.

Foreign Minister Marise Payne confirmed Mr Greiner’s widely anticipated appointment on Thursday, noting his “extensive and diverse experience, most recently serving as the federal president of the Liberal Party of Australia”.

The party elder will join fellow Liberal Mitch Fifield in New York, where the former senator serves as ambassador to the UN.

Mr Greiner, who has already arrived in the city, said he was looking forward to serving Australia’s interests in the US.

“Delighted to have the opportunity to serve in New York at a very challenging time for the US,” he told The Australian. “The quality of our relationship has never been more important.”

Senator Payne said the New York post was important for Australia, focusing on the promotion of business, innovation, education and creative industries.

“New York is a globally significant business, financial and cultural centre.

“It is often the launching pad for Australian businesses and entrepreneurs breaking into the US market, and the headquarters for many companies who invest in Australia.”

She said Australia’s New York consul-general’s role included engagement with business leaders in New York and the northeast US states “to promote Australia’s strengths as a natural trade and investment partner”.

Mr Greiner served as NSW premier from 1988-1992. He was forced to resign as premier after the state’s Independent Commission Against Corruption expressed concerns over his offer of a top public service role to a former Liberal-turned-independent MP.

He succeeds former Goldman Sachs banker Alastair Walton.

Both sides of politics hand out diplomatic jobs to former MPs, but far more Liberals have been sent overseas than Labor retirees in recent decades.

Opposition foreign affairs spokeswoman Penny Wong said the Prime Minister was “treating our principal security ally as a retirement home for his Liberal party mates”.

“Mr Morrison likes to say ‘if you have a go, you get a go’. What we’re really seeing is if you have a go at being a Liberal MP, you get a go at a diplomatic appointment,” Senator Wong said.

“Jobs for Liberal mates are the only jobs Mr Morrison cares about.”

Former Liberal senator Arthur Sinodinos succeeded colleague and former treasurer Joe Hockey as ambassador to the US in February last year.

Former Liberal attorney-general George Brandis replaced former foreign minister Alexander Downer as High Commissioner to the UK in May 2018.