University of Newcastle graduate and honorary doctorate recipient Gary Quinlan has been appointed Australia's new Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN) in New York.

Mr Quinlan will lead a team of diplomatic officers and staff on behalf of Australia in UN work on a range of global issues including climate change, food and energy security, development, peacekeeping and non-proliferation.

Currently Senior Advisor to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs, Defence and National Security, Mr Quinlan holds a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Doctor of Letters from the University.

Mr Quinlan has spent the past 36 years serving Australia in a range of positions with the Department of Foreign Affairs. He was Deputy Head of Mission in the Australian Embassy in Washington DC between 2005 and 2007 and High Commissioner to Singapore from 2001 to 2005.

He will take up his appointment in May 2009.