Louise Hand

Louise Hand is an Australian diplomat. She is a senior career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. 
On 29 December 2011, Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Martin Ferguson, made Hand the new Australian High Commissioner to Canada. 
Before this appointment, Hand was worked for the Department of Climate Change as the Ambassador for Climate Change (2009–2011). Hand has served overseas as Minister and Deputy Head of Mission at the Australian Embassy, Jakarta (2005 to 2009), Ambassador to Cambodia (2000 to 2003), Counselor, Australian Permanent Mission on Disarmament, Geneva (1995 to 1998), and Third (later Second) Secretary at the Australian Embassy in Vienna (1986 to 1989).
In Canberra, Hand has held the jobs of Assistant Secretary in the Arms Control Branch (1999 to 2000), Director of the Ministerial and Executive Liaison Section (1999), Director of the Business Affairs Unit (1993 to 1994) and Executive Assistant to the Secretary (1992 to 1993).
Hand holds a Bachelor of Arts and Masters Qualifying degree from the University of Queensland and an MBA from Deakin University. She is married and has two daughters.
In January 2009, she was awarded a Public Service Medal for her work in Indonesia.