Labor congratulates Frances Adamson on her appointment as the next Governor of South Australia and we thank her for her service as Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Ms Adamson is one of Australia's most accomplished diplomats and has served successive governments through a period of intense change with distinction - always equipped with calm, considered and astute advice.

She is the first woman to have served as Secretary, and the first woman to serve as Ambassador to China.

Under her leadership she rightly oversaw an expansion of women representing Australia as heads of our missions around the world.

I have had many dealings with Ms Adamson, including at Senate Estimates, where I have always found her to demonstrate profound respect for the institutions of our democracy.

We wish her the best in her new role, and I look forward to seeing more of her in our hometown of Adelaide.

Authorised by Paul Erickson, ALP, Canberra.