The Hon. Scott Morrison MP, Prime Minister I am delighted that the 38 member nations of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) have chosen Australia’s representative the Hon Mathias Cormann to be the organisation’s next Secretary-General.
The appointment is recognition of Australia’s global agency and standing amongst fellow liberal democracies and our practical commitment and contribution to multilateral co-operation.
This is a great honour for Mathias who has worked tirelessly over several months to engage with leaders, senior ministers and officials of OECD member nations from Europe, Asia and the Americas.
This is the most senior appointment of an Australian candidate to an international body for decades.
Australia overcame great odds for Mathias Cormann to be successful in the contest, which comprised nine other high calibre candidates, including six from Europe.
For 60 years, the OECD has been one of the world’s most important international economic institutions.
As the global economy recovers from COVID19, the OECD’s role in shaping international economic, tax and climate change policy will be more critical than ever.
Mathias’ work and life experience in both Europe and Australia, his outstanding record as Finance Minister and Senate leader and his expertise in international economic diplomacy will ensure he makes an outstanding contribution as leader of the OECD.
I thank my ministerial colleagues, the work of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the broader diplomatic network for their determined efforts in support of this effort.
I also thank the Federal Opposition for their bipartisan support for the candidacy.
