Mr Peter Shannon
Ambassador to Austria
Biography
Mr Shannon was most recently Assistant Secretary, Arms Control and Counter-Proliferation Branch, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (2002-05). He has held a number of positions in Canberra including Assistant Secretary, Americas Branch (1999-2002), Deputy Legal Adviser, Legal Branch (1991-92), Director, Multilateral Law Section (1989-90) and Director, Law of the Sea Section (1984-86).
Overseas Mr Shannon has served as Minister and Permanent Delegate to UNESCO, Australian Embassy and Permanent Mission to UNESCO, Paris (1996-99), High Commissioner to the Republic of Vanuatu (1992-96), Counsellor, Australian Embassy, Belgrade (1986-89), Second later First Secretary, Australian Embassy, Washington (1981-84), and Vice-Consul, Australian Consulate-General, New Caledonia (1975-78).
Mr Shannon was born in Melbourne in 1949. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Sydney and has been admitted to practice as a solicitor in the Supreme Court of New South Wales. He speaks French and Bislama (Melanesian Pidgin). He is married and has one son.