Mr James Larsen
Ambassador to Turkey
Mr Larsen is a senior career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and was most recently Principal Adviser to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, a position he held from March 2012 to September 2013. Prior to that he was Australian Ambassador for People Smuggling Issues (2010-2012). He has served overseas as Ambassador to Israel (2006-2010); Counsellor, Australian Embassy, Brussels (2001-2004); and Second Secretary, Australian Embassy, Bangkok (1994-1997).
Mr Larsen held a number of positions in DFAT Canberra, including Assistant Secretary and Legal Adviser, Legal Branch (2004-2006) and Director, Administrative and Domestic Law Section (1998-2000). He joined DFAT as graduate trainee in 1992.
Prior to joining DFAT, Mr Larsen worked as a Commercial Solicitor for Minter Ellison (1988-1991).
Mr Larsen holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Melbourne. He is married and has one son and two daughters. He speaks French.