Former Australian cricketer Matthew Hayden has been appointed as the trade representative by the Australian Government for advancing business ties with India on Monday (August 31).

Lisa Singh, Indian-origin politician and Tasmania’s former Labor Party Senator, and former Victoria Premier Ted Baillieu are the other new members of the Australia-India Council were named on Monday to help the government in advancing Australia's foreign and economic policy interests with India.

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Australia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne has confirmed the appointment of Hayden, who has served as a board member in the Institute for Australia-India Engagement since 2018, along with the other two members Lisa and Baillieu.

Payne also announced that Ashok Jacob’s stint as chair of the council has been also extended while Lisa would be the Deputy Chair of the board. Jacob is also the executive chairman of the investment management group Ellerston Capital while serving as Australia-India Council chairman since 2014.

Mr. Payne said of the latest appointments: “Ashok Jacob has been reappointed as chair, and will be joined by three new board members.”

Noteworthy, Hayden, who played 103 Tests and 161 One Day Internationals for Australia, was made Member of the Order of Australia in 2010 for his sporting excellence. He has also played for Chennai Super Kings in the IPL for three seasons.

On the other hand, Lisa has represented Tasmania in the Federal Senate from 2010 to 2019. She was also honored with the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award from the Indian Government for her service as a person of Indian heritage in fostering friendly relations between India and Australia.

Whereas, Baillieu was a member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly from 1999 to 2014 and conferred with the Ashoka Medal from the Australia India Business Council, Victoria, in 2013.

(With PTI Inputs)