by Ganesh Sahathevan
Australia's Department Of Foreign Affairs And Trade states on its website:
Michelle Chan (photo above) is the Deputy Secretary, South and Southeast Asia Group and Head of the Office of Southeast Asia, in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. She is Australia’s ASEAN, East Asia Summit and ASEAN Regional Forum Senior Official.
It also says:
Prior to assuming her current role, Ms Chan was the Deputy Secretary National Security and International Policy in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, and was the National Security Adviser and Senior International Adviser to the Prime Minister.
ASEAN nations are having almost daily to pacify China, so a China dove out of Australia may not be what ASEAN wants. In addition, Chan's Malaysian Chinese heritage may not sit well with all ASEAN members, perhaps even her country of birth (see story below) . A white Australian was always the preferred choice of representative for Australia for there was then greater assurance of impartiality in Australia's dealings among ASEAN nations .
TO BE READ WITH
Wednesday, May 6, 2020
Morrison adviser Michelle Chan is not the "the moderate voice on China" needed at this point to advise on national security matters : In her native Malaysia Chan would not have been allowed anywhere near national security and intelligence matters
One of Scott Morrison's inner circle, his former National Security Adviser Michelle Chan; has been recently promoted deputy secretary in the Office Of National Intelligence. According to Canberra publication The Mandarin:
Michelle Chan
Michelle Chan has been promoted to deputy secretary in the Office of National Intelligence. She has held various senior positions within the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, including the prime minister’s senior international advisor, and ambassador roles.
The Australian described Chan as a "moderate voice on China":
Michelle Chan The Prime Minister’s national security adviser As Morrison’s national security adviser, Chan is considered a moderate voice on China, with insiders saying she is a “dove” to Andrew Shearer’s “hawk”. She was most recently deputy director-general of the Office of National Assessments and a former ambassador to Myanmar. She has also had postings to Indonesia, Vietnam and Cambodia.
Chan is regarded an expert on South East Asia, presumably as a result of her being born in Malaysia, and her service in Indonesia, Vietnam and Myanmar.
Additionally her husband Simon Merrifield served first as political counsellor and later deputy high commissioner to Malaysia between 2001-2005. He was later appointed resident ambassador to ASEAN.
NATION
Monday, 26 Sep 200512:00 AM MYT
By PAUL GABRIEL
Asam laksa, tosai, climate and multiculturalism aside, there were more compelling reasons why Malaysia had been good to him – wife Michelle Chan Su-Wen was born in Petaling Jaya, and the couple’s soon-to-be-born baby was conceived here.
Merrifield, who will head the Staffing Division at the Foreign Ministry in Canberra, had been passionate about Malaysia since his first visit here as a 20-year-old backpacker in 1982.
Merrifield had wanted to stay on in Malaysia and have his first child born here, but decided to pack up on the advice of High Commissioner James Wise, who had wisely told the former to put family first and concentrate on setting up home in the Australian capital.
“He’s been a fantastic boss, and I value his advice. Things are getting very busy at the Australian mission here and it would be difficult having to contend with a newborn as well,” he said after a farewell bash at Wise’s residence in Jalan Langgak Golf last Wednesday.
Merrifield and Chan, who moved to Australia as a young girl, will be reunited at home, and at work, in Canberra; she will also be leaving Indonesia and her position as political and economic head at the Australian mission there.
Posted here in 2001 as political counsellor before being promoted in January last year, Merrifield said he had learnt a lot from Wise and was proud to have served here, in one of Australia's largest foreign missions.
“Besides my Australian colleagues, we also have many first-rate local staff who made my job so much easier.
“There has never been so much happening on the bilateral agenda as now – from education, trade, security to legal cooperation,” said Merrifield who leaves on Friday.
Wise praised his deputy’s resolve, saying: “The mission here will truly miss his services. He’s been outstanding both as a professional, and friend.”
Political counsellor Peter Doyle will replace Merrifield.
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