The Australia Pacific Islands Business Council welcomes the appointment of The Hon. Stirling Hinchliffe as Australia’s Consul-General and Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner in Auckland, a role that places him at the forefront of strengthening Australia’s commercial relationship with New Zealand and supporting broader engagement across the Pacific.
Mr Hinchliffe brings extensive experience in government, economic development and industry engagement to the position. A former Queensland Cabinet Minister, he held a number of senior portfolios during almost two decades in public life, including Tourism, Innovation and Sport, Transport, Infrastructure and Planning, Local Government, Racing and Multicultural Affairs. Prior to his appointment, he served as Director of Strategy Development at Northern Australia Accommodation Solutions.
In announcing the appointment, Australian Trade and Tourism Minister Don Farrell said Mr Hinchliffe’s experience in both the public and private sectors would further strengthen Australia’s long-standing relationship with New Zealand and support closer economic, trade and investment ties.
As Consul-General and Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner, Mr Hinchliffe also assumes responsibility for leading Austrade’s Auckland office, working with Australian exporters, investors and businesses seeking opportunities in New Zealand and the wider Pacific.
APIBC looks forward to working with Mr Hinchliffe as Australia and New Zealand continue to deepen their economic partnership and expand collaboration across the Pacific region. His appointment comes at a time of growing regional investment, stronger trans-Tasman commercial links and increasing opportunities for businesses operating throughout the Blue Pacific.
