Bob Cotton

Bob is a Visiting Fellow at the Crawford School of Public Policy at the ANU. He has a strong interest in a range of public policy issues, including Australia’s effective engagement in the Asia and Pacific region, and policy impact within and beyond Australia. Since 2005 Bob has been fully engaged on SES leadership issues, including as a Senior Academic Facilitator at the Crawford School. In that capacity, he delivered Leading Australia’s Future in Asia (LAFIA) and LAFIA Pacific programs for the APSC. These programs included leading in country visits to China, Indonesia, India, Mongolia, PNG, Samoa, Singapore, the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.

After an extensive career as an Australian diplomat in the Asia Pacific region, Bob has undertaken consultancy work for the ANAO, DFAT, AusAid and as an Associate of Tempo Strategies for a range of Commonwealth Departments, including the ATO, Geoscience Australia, Infrastructure and Regional Development, Health and Ageing and Defence. Bob also works as a mentor to the APS, including with the National Security College since 2010.

Bob also served on the Executive Committees of the Australian New Zealand Leadership Forum, and the Australian Malaysian Institute from 2003-2008. Other appointments were as the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy to PNG (2003), and the Australian Member of the Eminent Persons Group reviewing Pacific Policy and the Pacific Forum (2003-2004). Bob served as Australian High Commissioner to New Zealand (2000-2003), Australian High Commissioner to Malaysia (1997-1999), as Australian Ambassador to Fiji (1988-1991), and Australian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka (1985-1988). He was Head Corporate Management Division, (1993-1997), and prior to that served as Head South Pacific, Africa and Middle East Division, and International Organisations Branch, DFAT(1991-1992). Earlier overseas assignments with the Department included Malaysia, Japan and South Africa.

Since November 2004, he has served as a Non-Executive Director and as Treasurer of Carers ACT. Bob has a Bachelor of Economics degree from Sydney University, and a Master of Arts (Economics) degree from the University of Colorado, USA. Bob is a Fellow of the Australian Society of Certified Practicing Accountants, and a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.