A printer-friendly version of this document is available. Mr Spencer will replace Dr Geoffrey Raby who has been Ambassador since March 1998. One of the WTO s most important functions is to provide a forum for multilateral trade negotiations. The WTO remains the primary vehicle for Australia to advance its interests in achieving greater market access and secure trading conditions for Australian exporters.
Open markets remain crucial to Australia s economic prosperity and jobs.
Mr Spencer will take up his position a few months before the Fourth WTO Ministerial Conference is held in Qatar in November. Australia has benefited substantially from successive rounds of multilateral trade negotiations and the Government is strongly committed to the launch of a new market-access focused trade round in Qatar. Educated at the Australian National University, Mr Spencer holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Politics and Economics. He is married with three children.