17 Facts About Peter Varghese

Peter Varghese was born on 19 March 1956 and is an Australian retired diplomat and public servant.

Peter Varghese was the Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade from 3 December 2012 to 22 July 2016.

Peter Varghese announced in November 2015 that he would leave the position in July 2016 to become the chancellor of the University of Queensland.

Peter Varghese emigrated to Australia as a child in 1964, first moving to Newcastle and two years later heading to Brisbane.

Peter Varghese studied history and graduated from the University of Queensland with a university medal.

From 1989 to 1990, Peter Varghese was a speechwriter to Foreign Minister Gareth Evans.

Peter Varghese was then the First Assistant Secretary of the Public Affairs Division from 1994 to 1996.

Peter Varghese was appointed the First Assistant Secretary of the International Security Division in 1997 and then seconded to the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet as First Assistant Secretary of the International Division from 1998 to 1999.

In 2000, Peter Varghese was appointed the Australian High Commissioner to Malaysia and served until 2002.

Peter Varghese then served as Deputy Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade from 2002 to 2003.

Peter Varghese was then appointed as Senior Adviser to Prime Minister John Howard from 2003 to 2004.

From 2004 to 2009, Peter Varghese was Director-General of the Office of National Assessments, an Australian government intelligence agency which reports directly to the Prime Minister.

From August 2009 to October 2012, Peter Varghese was the Australian High Commissioner to India, with concurrent accreditation to Bhutan.

Peter Varghese was then appointed the Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in December 2012, serving until July 2016.

In 2016 Peter Varghese joined the board of directors at AMP Limited.

In 2010, Peter Varghese was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to public administration, particularly in leading reform in the Australian intelligence community and as an adviser in the areas of foreign policy and international security.

Peter Varghese was conferred with a Doctor of Letters honoris causa by the University of Queensland in July 2013 in recognition of his distinguished service to diplomacy and Australian Public Service.