“Ai Group congratulates Kevin Rudd and Heather Ridout on their diplomatic appointments to the United States,” Innes Willox, Chief Executive of the national employer association Ai Group said today.
“The appointment of a former Prime Minister and Foreign Minister as Ambassador sends a strong signal as to the importance of the relationship with the US. It comes at a time when our partnership with the US has rarely been more important with the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and disruptions to world trade.
“Mr Rudd follows in the footsteps of other political leaders of all stripes and is well placed to further develop and deepen our relations with the US.
“The appointment of Heather Ridout as Consul General to New York is a welcome and positive development for Australia and Australian Industry.
“Following her long career with Ai Group, including as Chief Executive, Heather Ridout has built a formidable CV leading and contributing to some of Australia’s biggest and most important enterprises such as the RBA, AustralianSuper, Sims Metal Management and ASX. As Chair of AustralianSuper she was responsible for an organisation that has grown to become one of the largest super funds in the world.
“She will take to New York deep experience and expertise as an advocate for Australian business and industry and a policy leader promoting Australia’s economic prosperity over more than forty years,” Mr Willox said.
