Amb. Ian Kemish

Ian joins BGA as senior advisor for Australia, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste and Fiji. Previously he served as chief people and sustainability officer for Newcrest Mining. In addition to his regional expertise, he is available to support teams working on energy, mining and other natural resource questions.

Ian is a former senior Australian diplomat, whose 25-year career with the Australian government included service as international policy advisor to the prime minister, as ambassador to Germany and as high commissioner to Papua New Guinea.

Ian is one of the world’s top experts on Papua New Guinea, having grown up there, speaking the local languages and serving several times for the Australian government in Port Moresby. Also an Indonesia hand, Ian was awarded membership of the Order of Australia (A.M.) for his leadership of Australia’s response to its worst offshore consular disaster: the 2002 Bali bombings. His career with the Australian Foreign Ministry had a strong overall focus on the Asia-Pacific region.

He is currently based in Brisbane, Australia.