John Holloway (diplomat)

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John Holloway
Born(1943-02-19)19 February 1943
Died12 March 2013(2013-03-12) (aged 70)
NationalityAustralian
Alma materUniversity of New South Wales (MA)
Occupation(s)Public servant, diplomat, adviser
Children3 daughters, 2 sons

John Holloway (19 February 1943 - 12 March 2013) was an Australian public servant and diplomat and an advisor to the Cambodian Government. Over his career he played a key role in the Cambodian peace process, including during his time as Australian Ambassador to Cambodia from 1992 to 1994.[1][2][3][4][5]

During his career as a diplomat, Holloway took a close interest in Southeast Asian affairs. His career highlights included the following:

  • Third Secretary in the Australian Embassy in Jakarta (March 1966 to March 1968)
  • First Secretary in the Australian High Commission in Kuala Lumpur (September 1970 to September 1973)
  • Counsellor in the Australian High Commission in Port Moresby (December 1973 to December 1975)
  • Deputy High Commissioner, Australian High Commission in New Delhi (February 1979 to January 1981)
  • Minister in the Australian Embassy in Jakarta (January 1981 to May 1983)
  • Australian Ambassador to the Philippines (December 1986 to March 1989)
  • Deputy Director General in AIDAB, Australian International Development Assistance Bureau (April 1989 to November 1991)
  • Permanent Representative to the Supreme National Council of Cambodia and later Australian Ambassador to Cambodia (November 1991 to July 1993)

In June 1995, Victorian MP Ken Aldred claimed in Parliament that Holloway was a paedophile.[6] The then Secretary to of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Michael Costello told Fran Kelly in a media interview that police had investigated and said there was no evidence to support the allegation.[7] Holloway was arrested in Cambodia and brought back to Australia to face charges, including for having sex with a 14-year-old boy. Holloway denied the charge.[8] A magistrate dismissed child sex abuse charges against Holloway, calling the testimony of the chief witness "worthless".[9]

Holloway later returned to Cambodia, remaining active as an adviser to the Cambodian government and working with numerous international bodies and non-government organisations. He died in Cambodia in March 2013 after a battle with skin cancer and diabetes.[citation needed]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Former Australian ambassador John Holloway dies". The Cambodian Herald. 13 March 2013. Archived from the original on 12 November 2016.
  2. ^ "Ambassador named". The Canberra Times. 1 December 1991. p. 2.
  3. ^ Scott, Keith (6 October 1994). "Holloway report will not harm ties: chief". The Canberra Times. p. 3.
  4. ^ McPhedran, Ian (14 October 1994). "Cambodia envoy may be recalled". The Canberra Times. p. 4.
  5. ^ McPhedran, Ian (2 June 1994). "Diplomat takes advisory post in Cambodia". The Canberra Times. p. 4.
  6. ^ McPhedran, Ian (6 June 1995). "Ex-envoy named in child sex trade". The Canberra Times. p. 1.
  7. ^ "DFAT Secretary rejects allegations by Liberal MP, Ken Aldred against him and the Department". Parliament of Australia. June 1995. Archived from the original on 13 November 2016.
  8. ^ Allard, Tom (26 March 2004). "Alleged pedophile's referee faced child sex charges". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. Archived from the original on 15 June 2009.
  9. ^ "Judge Dismisses Child Sex Charges Against Diplomat". Associated Press.

9. Thornhill (13 November 1996) "Judge Dismisses Child Sex Charges Against Diplomat" https://apnews.com/6bd257073abcc3339a78c3ff1f212a2a

Diplomatic posts
Preceded by Australian Ambassador to the Philippines
1986–1989
Succeeded by
Mack Williams
Vacant
Title last held by
Frank Milne
as Chargé d'affaires, 1975
Australian Ambassador to Cambodia
1992–1994
Succeeded by
Tony Kevin