Patrick Lawless

Patrick Colin Lawless is an Australian diplomat and senior career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).

Lawless served as the Australian Ambassador to Brazil, from 12 February 2014 until February 2016.

Lawless speaks Portuguese and graduated from the University of New South Wales and London School of Economics.

Career Lawless began his career with the Department of Foreign Affairs in 1985 By 1998 Lawless began serving in senior Department positions beginning with the Director of the Staffing Operations Section in DFAT's Staffing Branch. His first ambassadorial appointment to Poland was announced by the Minister Alexander Downer on 30 May 2002 replacing Margaret Adamson. Prior to his appointment as Ambassador to Poland he served as the head of the Trade Development Branch and Trade and Economic Analysis Branch, the Deputy Head of Mission in South Africa and Russia and a diplomatic posting in France He was replaced by Anne Plunkett in May 2012.

Lawless was appointed the Ambassador to Brazil on 12 February 2014 by Minister Julie Bishop replacing Brett Hackett. He also met the Socceroos when they landed in Curitiba prior to their third World Cup game.

In January 2016, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop announced that Lawless would be replaced by John Richardson in February.