Geoffrey Price

Geoffrey Price studied literature and modern languages at the University of Queensland and entered External Affairs in 1953. Early postings in Saigon, Paris, and Vientiane gave him extensive Southeast Asian experience. In Laos he helped Australia participate in the multilateral effort to stabilize the economy. ¹

As ambassador to South Vietnam, Price faced the collapse of the Saigon government in 1975. He urged Canberra to protect the embassy’s locally employed staff, but the government refused to evacuate them. Price and the remaining Australian personnel left by air on 25 April. He later publicly criticized that decision. ¹

After serving as high commissioner in Singapore, he became minister and deputy chief of mission in Washington from 1981 to 1984. Later assignments took him to the Netherlands, Pakistan, and Turkey; in Pakistan he signed an agreement providing Australian economic assistance. ¹