Graham Fletcher is a Nonresident Fellow at the Lowy Institute.

Graham is a former public servant who worked in Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) from 1983 to 2019. His main focus was advising on policy towards China. During 2008-10 and 2015-19, he headed DFAT’s North Asia Division, covering greater China, Japan, the Korean Peninsula and Mongolia.

Graham was Australia’s ambassador to the PRC during 2019-2023, a period which saw serious political and trade difficulties, the Covid pandemic, and then a process of gradual improvement.

In 2014, Graham led the negotiating team which concluded Australia’s bilateral Free Trade Agreement with China.

Graham also worked on South Pacific policy. In 2003 he headed the inter-agency task force which launched the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands.

Graham’s earlier overseas assignments were as Deputy Head of Mission in Washington (2011-13), a posting to New Caledonia (1992-94) and three other postings to Beijing (1986-88, 1997-2000, and 2004-08).

Graham retired from the public service in August 2025. His final position was Deputy Secretary International and Security in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.

Graham studied history and literature at the University of Sydney.