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Controversial diplomat snares Gillard role

19 Jan 2012 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A top Australian diplomat heavily criticised for her role in ''rehabilitation'' ceremonies for alleged Tamil rebels in Sri Lanka has been rewarded with a job in Prime Minister Julia Gillard's department.

Kathy Klugman will become head of the international division in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, a key foreign policy job.

Kathy Klugman will take over as head of international division in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet - a key bureaucratic role in managing the government's foreign policy. Photo: Ben Crabtree

Ms. Klugman, who was high commissioner in Colombo until this month, was condemned by rights groups in October for handing out certificates to Tamils after they were held for two years in a detention camp by the Sri Lankan government.

She was earlier criticised for publicly praising Sri Lanka's security forces after they intercepted a boat carrying 44 asylum seekers, including two children, bound for Australia.

The Australian branch of the International Commission of Jurists and the Greens complained at the time that Australia had ignored obligations under refugee conventions.

Six of the asylum seekers were later detained under anti-terrorism laws in Sri Lanka as alleged former fighters with the Tamil Tigers. Up to 10,000 Tamils were later rounded up and kept in camps.

Ms. Klugman's appointment was announced in an email to departmental staff.

The government is struggling to fill several senior positions in the bureaucracy, including the Labour-created role of National Security Adviser.

Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd announced diplomat Robyn Mudie would be the next high commissioner to Sri Lanka.

A spokesman for the Prime Minister's Department said: ''This was a competitive, merit-based selection. Ms. Klugman is an experienced officer with a strong record of service.'' (Source:The Age)

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Controversial diplomat snares Gillard role

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