By Caitlyn Rintoul
Former Labor assistant treasurer Stephen Jones has been appointed Australia鈥檚 next ambassador to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development in Paris.
Just two months after retiring from Federal politics, Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Treasurer Jim Chalmers announced the appointment on Sunday.
Mr Jones will take up the post in September, replacing ex-Liberal PM Scott Morrison鈥檚 trade and investment adviser Brendan Pearson, who was appointed in 2021.
Senator Wong and Dr Chalmers said their former colleague would bring a 鈥渨ealth of experience鈥 to advancing Australia鈥檚 interests after he served in Federal Parliament from 2010 until this year.
During his stint, Mr Jones spent almost six years in the Treasury portfolio and nearly half that time as Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Financial Services.
鈥淚n Government, Mr Jones delivered reforms to strengthen Australia鈥檚 superannuation and financial systems, modernise markets, and improve the integrity of our tax system,鈥 the joint statement said.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has appointed several former Labor Federal parliament members to prominent international diplomatic positions.
Notably, former Labor PM Kevin Rudd as Australia鈥檚 Ambassador to the United States and former Defence Minister Stephen Smith as High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. Nationals MP Keith Pitt was also recently appointed as Australia鈥檚 ambassador to the Holy See.
Mr Jones had been a prominent and longtime supporter of Mr Albanese, and thanked him for his 鈥渇riendship and support over many decades鈥 when announcing his retirement.
Dr Chalmers had acknowledged him as a 鈥渢errific colleague鈥 who will leave behind a 鈥減roud legacy.鈥
Former WA senator Mathias Cormann, who is the current Secretary-General of the OECD, is originally from Belgium but served as a long-time Coalition finance minister before the role.