Global Terrorism Research Centre - 2008 Conference
Mr William Paterson PSM
Australian Ambassador for Counter-Terrorism
Mr Paterson was Australian Ambassador to Thailand from 2004-2008, beginning his assignment by leading the Australian response to the December 2004 tsunami. Prior to that, Mr Paterson was Head of the Southeast Asia division in the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
In 2002-03 he was Head of the Australian Government’s Iraq Task Force, and was Head of the International Security Division in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra in 2001-02. The division is principally responsible for strategic policy and politico-military affairs. Following the September 11 terrorist attacks in the United States, he was appointed chair of the government’s Anti-Terrorism Task Force. During 2000, he served as Chief of Staff and Principal Adviser to the Foreign Minister. In 1998-99, he served as Assistant Secretary in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, advising and supporting the Prime Minister on Asia, APEC and trade policy issues, including policy toward Indonesia, the East Timor crisis and the Asian financial crisis.