SEMINAR

Introduction to IPR Conference

BIOGRAPHY

Dr Hammer has been First Assistant Secretary of the Americas Division in the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) since May 2013. This position has responsibility for Australia’s relations with each of the countries of the North and South American continents.

From 2010 to 2013 Dr Hammer was Deputy Head of Mission at the Australian Embassy in Tokyo. He rejoined DFAT in June 2009, to lead its South-East Asia Division, after having served from May 2004 as Deputy Director-General at the Office of National Assessments (ONA). At ONA he oversaw and contributed to development of assessments across the full range of international developments – political, economic and strategic – engaging Australia’s national interests.

From April 2002 Dr Hammer was Assistant Secretary for the Americas, then Assistant Secretary Iraq Task Force, then Assistant Secretary Parliamentary and Media. In the latter role he liaised on foreign policy matters with members of the Australian Parliament and the Australian media.

From March 1999 to April 2002 Dr Hammer was Assistant Secretary for Defence, Intelligence and Security in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C), where he was responsible for advising the Prime Minister, the Secretary of PM&C and the Secretary to Cabinet on defence, intelligence and security matters, law enforcement matters and on crisis response to natural disasters.

From March 1998 to 1999 Dr Hammer was Director of the Nuclear Trade and Security Section in DFAT, and before that, from March 1995 was First Secretary and then Counsellor (Political) at the Australian Embassy in Washington, where he liaised with the US Government on a range of arms control and national security matters including, Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) proliferation and nuclear and conventional weapons policies; US relations with Persian Gulf countries; US relations with South Asian countries; US relations with other American countries; and narcotics control matters.

From March 1993 to 1995 Dr Hammer was an Executive Officer in DFAT involved primarily in chemical and biological weapons arms control negotiations. Before that, from September 1989, he was a member of the Strategic Analysis Branch at ONA drafting assessments on WMD proliferation and civil science.

Dr Hammer has a PhD in chemistry from the Australian National University. He is married to Inge Sugani and has two daughters, Rosemary and Julia.