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Up to now the Australian Ambassador to Ireland had the extra responsibility for relations with the Holy See. Now this role is to be downgraded after her government elected to appoint a resident ambassador to the Holy See.
Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has decided that the Holy See position should be taken from the Irish Ambassador, Anne Plunkett and given to former deputy prime minister, Tim Fischer.
This means that Ms Plunkett will no longer be the strongest link between the Australian government and Pope Benedict XVI, but will remain on as ambassador to Ireland.
The announcement was made directly to the Pope as he left Australia, where he spent the week celebrating World Youth Day.
It has been described as "a significant deepening of Australia's relations with the Vatican" by Prime Minister Rudd.
However, Mr Fischer has already caused some disquiet by downplaying his Catholic faith. Mr Fischer, who is the former Nationals leader, confessed that he was a "less than a perfect practising Catholic".
He said: "I am Australia's representative to the Holy See before I am a Catholic representative. There's only one true perfect practising Catholic, and he has just left Sydney this morning."
Ms Plunkett was only in the position a little over two years. Her letters of credence were accepted by Pope Benedict XVI in May 2006.
However, she is now expected to stand down in early 2009, clearing the way for Mr Fischer to take up his appointment.
Ms Plunkett is an experienced staff member of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and prior to her appointment as Ambassador to Ireland and the Holy See was the Director, Consular Operations Section, a position she held since October 2005.
Prior to this she was Director, Diplomatic and Consular Accreditation Section (2002-2005).
Ms Plunkett has served overseas as Counsellor and Deputy Head of Mission, Australian High Commission, Suva (1997-99), First Secretary, Australian High Commission, Suva (1987-89), Second Secretary, Australian High Commission, New Delhi (1980-82), Third Secretary, Australian High Commission, Dar es Salaam (1976-78) and Vice-Consul, Australian Consulate-General, Honolulu (1974-76).
She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) from the University of New England.
She is married and has two sons and a daughter.
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