OECD Delegation

Australia maintains a Permanent Delegation to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in Paris. The delegation is currently led by Mr Brian Pontifex, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Australia to the OECD (details below). Australian agencies represented are:  

The OECD, based in Paris, was established in 1961. The Organisation provides independent and evidence-based analysis to help improve the economic and social well-being of citizens in its member countries and globally. The OECD does not have executive or financial powers; it relies on persuasion and consensus, and derives its relevance to member countries from its high quality analysis of economic, social and environmental policy.

Australia has been an active member of the OECD since 1971, although initial links to the OECD were established through the OECD’s Development Assistance Committee (DAC) in 1966. In 2011, Australia celebrated its 40th anniversary of membership. This was the same year that the OECD, established in 1961, celebrated its 50th anniversary. In 2016, Australia also celebrated 50 years of membership in the DAC. Australia is one of a group of 35 like-minded countries working toward a more harmonious functioning of the world economy.

Australia takes a strong interest in a wide range of OECD activities and the OECD's analysis plays an influential role in policy debates in Australia. Australia adheres to OECD instruments and conventions and experts from the Australian Government, academia, non-government organisations and the private sector regularly attend specialist committee meetings to put forward Australia’s views and hear other members’ views.

You can follow the Delegation on Twitter: @AusAmbOECD

For further information on Australia and the OECD, visit the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's Australia and the OECD page.

For further information on the OECD, visit the OECD website.

Mr Brian Pontifex
Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Australia to the OECD

Mr Pontifex is the Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Australia to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). At the OECD, Mr Pontifex is co-chair of the Informal Reflection Group on China. Mr Pontifex is also on the bureau of the Council Working Group on the Future Size and Membership of the Organisation, and on the bureau for the 2017 Ministerial Council Meeting of the OECD.

Mr Pontifex previously served as the Chief of Staff, Office of the Premier of Western Australia, Hon. Colin Barnett, MLA a position he held from February 2010 to April 2015.  Prior to this, he was General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Browse LNG Development, Woodside (2007-10); he held the position of an Anti-Corruption Legal Expert, Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (2005-07); and Legal Consultant for the Australian Attorney-General’s Department to the OECD (2004-05).  Mr Pontifex also served as Chief of Staff to the Australian Minister for Justice & Customs, Senator Chris Ellison (2003-04) and also as Senator Ellison’s Ministerial Adviser (2002-03).

Mr Pontifex holds a Bachelor of Arts with First Class Honours from the University of Western Australia and a Bachelor of Laws with First Class Honours from the Australian National University. He holds a Masters of International Law (Awarded with Distinction) from the University of Edinburgh. He has been admitted to the Supreme Court of Western Australia as a Barrister and Solicitor.