Murray McLean (ambassador)

Mr Murray McLean, AO

Alistair Murray McLean AO is a senior career officer of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. He joined the Department as the Department of External Affairs (later Department of Foreign Affairs) in 1970 and has had wide experience, particularly on Asian issues.

Fluent in Standard Chinese (Mandarin) his previous postings and placements include: Australian High Commissioner (Ambassador) to Singapore (1997–2001); Consul-General in Shanghai (1987–92); Counsellor in Washington (1983–86); Counsellor in Beijing (1979–83), as well as earlier postings in Beijing (1973–76) and Hong Kong (1971–73). Mr McLean arrived in Tokyo on 24 November 2004 to take up his appointment as Australia's Ambassador to Japan, which was an appointment that ran until August 2011.^[1]

His placements within the Department have included: Deputy Secretary (February–November 2004); First Assistant Secretary, North Asia Division (2001–04) and Head of East Asia Branch (1992–96).

In 1991 Mr McLean was awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for his services to international relations.^[2]

He is a B.A. (Hons) graduate from the University of Melbourne and later studied Chinese at the University of Hong Kong. Born in 1947, he is married with two adult children and his interests include golf, tennis, classical music and Asian arts.

References

• "McLean, Alistair Murray: Officer of the Order of Australia". It's an Honour. Australian Government. 26 January 2013.