AUSTRALIA has appointed career diplomat Lisa White as its next high commissioner to Naoero (Nauru).
The two countries want to deepen ties under a new treaty that Canberra says upgrades the relationship to an integrated economic, social and security partnership.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the appointment came as Australia and Naoero built on a “deep, long-standing bilateral relationship” grounded in “shared history, close people-to-people links and cultural affinity.”
She said Australia was Naoero’s “largest and most comprehensive economic, security and development partner” and stressed Canberra’s role in supporting “a more peaceful, stable and prosperous region.”
Wong said White, a career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, had previously served in Papua New Guinea, Egypt and Afghanistan.
She thanked outgoing High Commissioner Matthew Barclay for his work in Nauru since 2025.
In Naoero, President David Adeang received White’s letter of credence in an official ceremony, with the new envoy inspected by the Nauru Police Force Guard of Honour before being escorted to the president’s office.
Adeang said the two countries shared “more than formal diplomatic ties,” pointing to a “longstanding partnership, shared history and people-to-people connections” under the theme Ata Amin Bwini (we are family)
He said White’s leadership would be important in sustaining momentum and ensuring the partnership grows “in a spirit of openness, trust and mutual consultation.”
White is an experienced diplomat and lawyer with more than 20 years of work across government on international engagement, defence and security matters.
Her career has included postings and responsibilities across the Pacific, Central Asia, the Middle East and Africa, including work on the Australia-Papua New Guinea Bilateral Security Agreement, the Australia-PNG 2024 Ministerial Forum and Australia’s response to the Westgate Mall terror attack in Nairobi.
In her most recent role, she worked on deepening Australia’s engagement with ASEAN countries and implementing the Southeast Asia Economic Strategy, Invested.
