Office of National Intelligence head Andrew Shearer to be next ambassador to Japan
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The news: Andrew Shearer, the current director-general of the Office of National Intelligence (ONI), will be nominated as the next Australian ambassador to Japan.
Kathy Klugman, who has been been principal adviser to the Prime Minister, international since 2022, will replace Shearer as ONI's director-general when he finishes his term this December.
The context: Foreign Minister Penny Wong said in a statement the federal government intends to nominate Shearer in early 2026.
Shearer was appointed director-general of the ONI in December 2020 and will finish his term in December 2025.
He has previously served as ONI’s deputy director-general, cabinet secretary and national security adviser to former prime ministers John Howard and Tony Abbott.
Shearer has also previously held senior roles in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, the office of the Minister for Defence and the Victorian Department of Premier and Cabinet.
Klugman will be the first woman to lead the ONI or its predecessor the Office of National Assessments. She is a former High Commissioner to Sri Lanka and has also previously held senior positions at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAT) and Trade and the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.
During her time as a deputy secretary of DFAT, Klugman led the development and multilateral group, oversaw Australia's Centre for Regional Health Security and chaired the aid governance board.
What they said: "I would like to thank Mr Shearer for his significant contribution as Director General since 2020. I am pleased that he agreed to continue to serve the Australian people in a new capacity," Acting Prime Minister Richard Marles said in a statement.
The sources: Foreign Minister Penny Wong media release, ONI website, Acting Prime Minister Richard Marles media release
