Mark Higgie
Mark Higgie | |
|---|---|
| File:Mark Higgie.jpg | |
| Australian Ambassador to the European Union, NATO, Belgium and Luxembourg | |
| Assumed office 2014 | |
| Preceded by | Duncan Lewis |
| International Advisor to the Hon. Tony Abbott MP | |
| In office 2010–2014 | |
| Succeeded by | Craig MacLachlan |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 26 July 1957 Canberra, Australia |
| Spouse | Zoe née Colvin |
| Children | Anna,[1] Lucinda |
| Parent(s) | William[2] and Jean Higgie |
| Alma mater | Australian National University |
Mark William Christopher Higgie (born 26 July 1957) is an Australian diplomat, former Coalition political advisor and former intelligence analyst. He has been Australia’s ambassador in Brussels since September 2014.[3] He previously served as international advisor to the Hon Tony Abbott MP, both when Abbott was Leader of the Opposition (2010-2013) and when he was Prime Minister (2013-2014).[4][5]
From 2010 to 2013, Higgie was Tony Abbott's advisor on foreign affairs, trade, immigration, defence and national security issues. He co-ordinated Liberal-National policy on international issues at the Coalition’s campaign headquarters in Melbourne at both the 2010 and 2013 federal elections. He worked closely with former immigration minister Scott Morrison on the Coalition’s ‘stop the boats’ policies.[6]
The Financial Review's 2013 national power survey listed Higgie fourth on its Defence Strategies sectoral list.[7] He is seen as close to the foreign editor of The Australian,Greg Sheridan.[8]
In government he had responsibility in Abbott's office for foreign affairs and trade, while former John Howard international advisor Andrew Shearer handled national security, defence and immigration.[9][10]
Prior to joining Abbott’s team, Higgie served for three years as the representative in the UK of the Office of National Assessments, the government’s intelligence assessment agency on international affairs. In this role, Higgie was the Australian representative on the Joint Intelligence Committee (United Kingdom).[11]
Higgie served as Australia’s ambassador in Budapest 1998-2001.[12] At the conclusion of his posting the Hungarian president awarded him the Middle Cross of the Order of Merit for services to Hungary-Australia relations.[13]
He earlier served as First Secretary later Counsellor Vienna (1992–98) and Third later Second Secretary Belgrade (1985–87). Higgie joined the Department of Foreign Affairs in 1984.[4]
He has a BA (Hons) in Russian and Political Science from the Australian National University (1981) and a PhD from the same institution for a thesis on Soviet, East German and Yugoslav manipulation of nationalism (1987).[14] While doing research for his PhD in 1982, he undertook an internship at Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty at its then Munich headquarters.
In 1988-89 Higgie served as policy advisor to then Opposition Leader John Howard's shadow foreign minister, John Spender QC.
Higgie’s wife Zoe (née Colvin) is the daughter of British MI6 agent John Colvin and Lady (Anne) Synnot, who later married Admiral Sir Anthony Synnot, Chief of the Defence Force Staff 1979-82. Her brother is ABC presenter Mark Colvin.
References
- ^ "Anna Higgie - Illustrators - Central Illustration Agency". Retrieved 29 November 2016.
- ^ Higgie, Mark (15 October 2015). "Bill Higgie: a passionate advocate of refugee migration". Archived from the original on 30 November 2016.
- ^ "Appointment of new Director-General of Security and nomination of new Australian Ambassador to Belgium, Luxembourg, the European Union and NATO". Australian Government. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
- ^ a b Accreditation (PDF), 26 June 2014, archived from the original (PDF) on 30 November 2016
- ^ "PM adviser named new EU ambassador". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. AAP. 15 May 2014. Archived from the original on 3 December 2016.
- ^ "ABBOTT'S ARMY ON THE MARCH: Opposition leader's office spies one day, schmoozes the next". 9 October 2011. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
- ^ http://www.womensagenda.com.au/talking-about/opinions/item/3398-women-in-power-the-numbers-are-dismal
- ^ http://www.vexnews.com/abbotts-army-on-the-march-opposition-leaders-office-spies-one-day-schmoozes-the-next/
- ^ Sheridan, Greg (16 September 2013). "Doubling the advisers a sign of global clout". The Australian. News Corp. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Sheridan, Greg (12 October 2013). "Tony Abbott's softly softly approach to Asia pays off". The Australian. News Corp. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Tips and rumours: Abbott's spooky new staffer". Crikey. 8 March 2010. Archived from the original on 27 April 2015. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
- ^ Downer, Alexander (16 December 1997). "Diplomatic Appointment: Ambassador to the Republic of Hungary". Australian Government. Archived from the original on 12 February 2014. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/10279511?q&versionId=45108322
- ^ https://openresearch-repository.anu.edu.au/handle/1885/10664