Luke Lazarus Arnold

🇦🇺 public servant & diplomat. Addicted to coffee, walking, travel, boardgames, public policy wonkery, family & friends.

[Senator Penny Wong @SenatorWong]

Congratulations to Timor-Leste on joining @ASEAN as its 11th member.

As PM Gusmão said, this is a 'dream realised' for the people of Timor-Leste—a dream Australia has supported from the start.

I was pleased to join celebrations in Canberra to mark this historic milestone.

[Luke Lazarus Arnold @lukelazarn]

@AusAmbASEAN @ASEAN @CanadaASEAN @AusASEANEAS @dfat Two super impressive former High Commissioners to Brunei right there!

[Luke Lazarus Arnold @lukelazarn]

My entry to this year's @Acicis #Bahasasesh Challenge is "cabe rawit" - watch the video below to learn what it means, both literally and figuratively!

Do you have a favourite Bahasa word? Ayo, enter it into the #Bahasasesh Challenge! Details here: https://t.co/82PHXB2Aqz

[Senator Penny Wong @SenatorWong]

As Timor-Leste’s largest development partner, we will continue to support Timor's sovereignty and economic development.

All Australians want Timor-Leste to continue to flourish and reach its full potential.

[Senator Penny Wong @SenatorWong]

There is deep respect, friendship and solidarity between the Timorese and Australian people.

Today I welcomed the Timorese Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence & Security to Canberra to discuss our work to shape a peaceful, stable and prosperous region.

[Michelle Chan @AusASEANEAS]

Timor-Leste’s Parliamentary Committee B oversees foreign affairs, defence and security. We’re honoured that Committee President Deker is leading a delegation to Australia this week to deepen 🇦🇺-🇹🇱 cooperation to build a peaceful, stable and prosperous region.

[Senator Penny Wong @SenatorWong]

Australia welcomes ASEAN’s decision to admit Timor-Leste as a full member at its Summit this October. As close friends and partners, Australia has been a longstanding supporter of Timor-Leste’s full ASEAN membership.

[Caitlin Wilson @AusAmbDili]

Pleased that Mr Shane Walden, CEO of @ANLShipping has been appointed as 🇦🇺Australia’s Business Champion for 🇹🇱 Timor-Leste.

We look forward to working with Shane to help increase two-way trade and investment between Australia and Timor-Leste.

[Caitlin Wilson @AusAmbDili]

25 years ago, at the request of now PM Gusmao, local councils in 🇦🇺 started forming “friendship committees” with 🇹🇱 peers. Last night @dfat joined former Timor-Leste 1st Lady Kirsty Sword Gusmao & community leaders from across Victoria to celebrate these enduring community ties.

[Michelle Chan @AusASEANEAS]

🇦🇺 hosted Timor-Leste Civil Service Commission President de Deus this week, in support of 🇹🇱’s ambitions to strengthen its public service. We’re pleased that, amid the wide-ranging discussions and networking, President de Deus also had time to visit @national_zoo

[Anthony Albanese @AlboMP]

For three years Australia has proudly supported the brave people of Ukraine in their struggle to defend their sovereignty against the brutality of Russian aggression and in support of international law.

Australia stands with Ukraine. 🇦🇺🇺🇦

[Australia in Brunei Darussalam @AusHCBrunei]

Today is my last day as Australia’s High Commissioner to Brunei. The High Commission team will no doubt continue to kick goals 🇦🇺🤝🇧🇳. Here are just a few of the achievements the team contributed to during the three years I had the privilege of leading it:

[Australia in Brunei Darussalam @AusHCBrunei]

Handing over the baton (or in this case, the koala!🐨) from former High Commissioner to the new High Commissioner-designate!

#australiainbruneidarussalam #australia #brunei

[Australia in Brunei Darussalam @AusHCBrunei]

There aren’t many places outside my bed where I’d rather be first thing on a Sunday morning, but opening a cool new Bruneian ecotourism facility is one of them! As 🇧🇳 seeks to diversify its economy beyond oil & gas, 🇦🇺 will be a key partner (even early on Sunday mornings).

[Australia in Brunei Darussalam @AusHCBrunei]

Japanese Ambassador Maeda Toru @MofaJapan_en arrived in Brunei at the same time as me, and last night the diplomatic corps put on a farewell reception for both of us. He’s one of the best in the business and it’s been a true honour to learn from him. 🇯🇵🇦🇺🇧🇳

[Luke Lazarus Arnold @lukelazarn]

@arisharp Oddly, I once sat with him for a few hours on a long-distance train in France (heading to the wedding of a mutual friend) - a genuinely friendly guy who seemed to be always thinking of what to write next.

[Australia in Brunei Darussalam @AusHCBrunei]

I’m due to conclude my posting to Brunei on 2 January, but I *might* have found a way of staying on in the country - with the help of local filmmaker Abdul Zainidi and his alter ego, Angus the Aussie Barista. Make sure you watch to the end! 😂

[Australia in Brunei Darussalam @AusHCBrunei]

Throw another (Bruneian) shrimp on the barbie 🦐! Fascinating visit to Golden Corp, which produces about 4000 tonnes of shrimp each year for export to 🇦🇺 & beyond - making it one of the largest 🇧🇳 businesses outside oil & gas, and a potential opportunity for Aussie investors!

[Luke Lazarus Arnold @lukelazarn]

I really hit the jackpot with impressive Foreign Ministers in both my home country and my host country throughout my tenure as Australian High Commissioner to Brunei.

[Australia in Brunei Darussalam @AusHCBrunei]

It’s not always easy being a first-time High Commissioner/Ambassador. In my case I’ve been lucky to have Dato Erywan as my host country’s FM - always accessible, insightful & keen to strengthen 🇦🇺-🇧🇳 cooperation. Enjoyed every minute of the 4 hours I spent with him yesterday!

[Australia in Brunei Darussalam @AusHCBrunei]

We diplomats owe a debt of gratitude to our spouses for all the sacrifices they make for our careers. Pleased my spouse Leliana got some recognition via an audience with Her Majesty the Queen of Brunei (and that they discussed things like education for women & girls).