Age gets top foreign affairs job ‘on merit’

BARBARA Age, pictured, has been confirmed as the Secretary for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade after having been acting in the position since January.
Prime Minister Peter O’Neill said the National Executive Council recognised her “wealth of experience, commitment and merit in the department and in other regional agencies”.
He said the appointment was decided by the Ministerial Executive Appointments Committee.
“The decision to appoint Age as the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Dfat) Secretary was recently decided by the Ministerial Executive Appointments Committee and approved by Cabinet, given her occupying the position as the acting secretary since January,” he said.
O’Neill congratulated her and assured her of the government’s support during her term.
He said the government aims to promote gender equality in public service.
“Our government aims to promote gender equality in the public service and this is yet another instance of our objective,” he said.
Age will serve for four years. She replaces outgoing secretary William Dihm.