Wong hits out as former Premier appointed new role as Australia’s High Commissioner to Singapore

Labor Senator Penny Wong has hit out at former Premier Will Hodgman’s new appointment in international relations, saying it’s a serious job, and warrants a serious candidate. LATEST >>

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THE federal opposition has lashed the decision to give Tasmania’s former Premier a top diplomatic posting, labelling it a jobs-for-mates appointment.

On Sunday Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne announced Will Hodgman would be Australia’s next High Commissioner to Singapore.

But Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong took to Twitter to slam Mr Hodgman’s appointment.

Singapore is an important posting and warrants a serious appointment.

This isn’t it.

Scott Morrison is turning our foreign service into a Liberal Party retirement home.

The only jobs he cares about are jobs for his mates. https://t.co/BeiOLWox1V

— Senator Penny Wong (@SenatorWong) November 29, 2020

“Singapore is an important posting and warrants a serious appointment. This isn’t it. Scott Morrison is turning our foreign service into a Liberal Party retirement home. The only jobs he cares about are jobs for his mates,” Senator Wong said.

Senator Penny Wong Leader of the Opposition in the Senate & Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs during a press conference in Parliament House Canberra.in Parliament House Canberra. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

On Monday, Mr Hodgman tweeted he was honoured to be named High Commissioner.

“I very much look forward to working to promote our nation’s interests in Singapore – our 6th largest trading partner – and a place with which we have rich and longstanding cultural connections,” he said.

“Singapore is a vital hub for our region, the Indo-Pacific, and we share many common interests and immense opportunities.”

FORMER PREMIER TO MOVE INTO INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

EARLIER: FORMER Tasmanian Premier Will Hodgman has been named Australia’s new High Commissioner to Singapore.

The 51-year-old father of three and Tasmania’s 45th Premier resigned from parliament in January.

Mr Hodgman’s new diplomatic role was announced on Sunday afternoon by Foreign Minister Marise Payne.

“Mr Hodgman was most recently the Inaugural Chair of the Australian Business Growth Fund. He has previously served as the Premier of Tasmania; held various Ministerial positions including Attorney-General of Tasmania, Minister for Justice, Tourism, Hospitality and Events, Trade, Prevention of Family Violence, Advanced Manufacturing and Defence Industries, Parks, Heritage, Sport and Recreation, the Arts and Aboriginal Affairs; Leader of the Opposition; Liberal Member of the parliament of Tasmania; and practised law in various roles,” Senator Payne said.

Former Premier Will Hodgman has been named Australia’s new High Commissioner to Singapore. Picture: Zak Simmonds

“Mr Hodgman holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Tasmania. He was admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor and became a Practitioner of the High Court of Australia in 1994.”

Senator Payne said Australia had deep and longstanding ties with Singapore.

“Singapore is Australia’s largest trade and investment partner in ASEAN and our sixth largest trading partner. We look forward to growing our relationship in priority areas, and continuing our nations’ work together in responding to the health and economic challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic,” she said.

Ms Payne thanked outgoing High Commissioner Bruce Gosper for his contributions to advancing Australia’s interests in Singapore since 2017.

Mr Hodgman has been contacted for comment.