Albanese appoints former Murdoch aide Siobhan McKenna as Australia’s New York consul-general

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese named Siobhan McKenna, formerly Lachlan Murdoch’s top lieutenant, as the next Australian consul-general in New York, a pivotal diplomatic post that also backs Australia’s United Nations Security Council candidacy. McKenna replaces Heather Ridout, whose four-year term ends in December, and will move to the city with husband James Flintoft and their three children. Her résumé includes heading News Corp’s broadcasting division, overseeing Foxtel, one outlet Australia and the development of streaming services Kayo Sports and Binge, as well as board roles at Network Ten, Woolworths and the NBN, and service on the Productivity Commission.

U.S. court documents this year described her as the principal architect of a scheme to preserve Lachlan Murdoch’s control of the family’s media empire after Rupert Murdoch’s death. She formally departed News Corp in October after two decades and previously served as chair of Australia Post. The consul-general position carries a salary of roughly $350,000, an entertainment budget and an official residence at One Beekman near the United Nations.