Mr Richard Feakes commenced as Australia's Ambassador for Counter-Terrorism on 22 May 2023. The Ambassador is responsible for leading Australia's international engagement on counter-terrorism, including representing Australia at international forums. The Ambassador will work closely with domestic agencies on counter-terrorism issues and will sit on the Commonwealth Joint Counter-Terrorism Board and the Australia-New Zealand Counter-Terrorism Committee.

Mr Feakes is a career diplomat with extensive counter terrorism experience. He most recently served as Commonwealth Deputy Counter-Terrorism Coordinator within the Department of Home Affairs. His previous diplomatic roles include Australian Ambassador to Afghanistan and postings to Iraq and Papua New Guinea. Mr Feakes previously held strategic and national security positions in Canberra, including as Assistant Secretary for Afghanistan and Pakistan in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and as Senior Adviser for Asia Pacific issues within the Prime Minister’s Department.

Mr Feakes holds a Masters of Foreign Affairs, Monash University, a Bachelor of Laws, Sydney University and a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) from the University of New South Wales.