Today I announce the appointment of Ms Margaret Twomey AM as Australia’s next Ambassador to Italy. Ms Twomey will also be accredited to Albania, Libya, and San Marino.
Australia and Italy have an enduring relationship built on shared values and strong community links. Australians of Italian descent have made a significant contribution to the development of contemporary Australian culture and society. Around 1 million Australians claim Italian heritage.
Australia and Italy also share a significant trade relationship. Italy is Australia’s second largest trading partner in the EU, with two-way trade in goods and services valued at $11.2 billion in 2018-19.
Australia enjoys positive relations with Albania, underpinned by a well-established community of Australians with Albanian ancestry dating back to the 19th century.
Ms Twomey is a senior career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. She has previously served overseas as Head of Mission in Suva, Moscow, and Dili.
Ms Twomey holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Melbourne, and speaks Italian, French and Russian.
