15 Facts About Philip Flood

Philip James Flood was born on 2 July 1935 and is a distinguished former Australian diplomat and a former senior public servant.

Philip Flood was Ambassador to Indonesia, Director-General of the Australian Agency for International Development, Director-General of the Office of National Assessments, and Head of the Inquiry into the Australian Intelligence Community.

Philip Flood attended the University of Sydney, obtaining a Bachelor of Economics degree, before joining the Department of External Affairs in 1958.

Philip Flood rose quickly through the diplomatic ranks at the department, serving at the Australian mission to the European Economic Community in Brussels.

Philip Flood returned to Australia and served as Executive Assistant to the then Secretary of External Affairs, Sir Arthur Tange.

Philip Flood then was posted to the Australian Embassy in Paris and Delegation to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, where he was Counsellor.

Philip Flood then served as Australia's High Commissioner to Bangladesh.

In 1989, Philip Flood was appointed Australia's Ambassador to Indonesia; serving until 1993.

In 1995, Philip Flood was appointed Director General of the Australian Office of National Assessments.

In 1996, Philip Flood was appointed Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; until his appointment in 1998 as Australian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom; and his retirement from the diplomatic service in 2000.

Philip Flood headed the Inquiry into Immigration Detention Centres which reported to the Australian Government in February 2001; the report condemned the then detention centre at Woomera, and especially its treatment of children.

Philip Flood headed the Inquiry into Australian Intelligence Agencies, which reported in July 2004; and the Inquiry into Plasma Fractionation, which reported in December 2006.

In 1992, Philip Flood was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in recognition of his service to international relations.

Philip Flood was given the Indonesian Order of Merit, called the Bintang Jasa Utama, for services to the development of relations between Australia and Indonesia.

In 2001 Philip Flood was granted the Centenary Medal for his significant contribution over many years to international relations.