Leilani Bin-Juda

Ms Leilani Bin-Juda is of Torres Strait Islander heritage with ties to Hammond, Darnley and Murray Islands. She grew up in Cairns before beginning her academic journey with CQUniversity in Rockhampton. After her studies, she moved to Canberra where she began work in the Australian Public Service with the then Department of Primary Industries and Energy, followed by the Attorney-General’s Department.  In 1999, she became a curator at the National Museum of Australia. In this role, Leilani delivered exhibitions for the Torres Strait Gallery and was later invited to return to Thursday Island to help establish the Gab Titui Cultural Centre. 

Inspired by this experience, Leilani transitioned into cultural diplomacy, beginning with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) in 2007. Her Australian Public Service career spans over 27 years, encompassing roles in policy and program development across international relations, health, fisheries, crime prevention and the arts and culture portfolios.

Ms Bin-Juda held various overseas postings and assignments during this time, including as Acting High Commissioner in Tuvalu and Niue; Counsellor, Kiribati; First Secretary (Political/Gender/Sports Diplomacy), Papua New Guinea; Adviser (Economic Governance) to the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands; and Manager of Australia’s Cultural Program at the Shanghai World Expo 2010. 

As a passionate advocate for Australia’s Indigenous heritage, both domestically and internationally, Leilani has served as the first Torres Strait Islander in the role as DFAT’s Treaty Liaison Officer on Thursday Island where she was responsible for the day-to-day implementation of the Australia-Papua New Guinea Torres Strait Treaty. She later became the CEO of the Torres Strait Regional Authority and the first woman to be substantially appointed into the CEO role. 

Leilani’s career further advanced in DFAT at the senior executive level. In November 2023, she was appointed as Australia’s High Commissioner to Nigeria and the first Indigenous Australian to occupy the role. This work encompasses a portfolio that includes one of Africa’s largest economies and a key trade partner to Australia. Our High Commission is also accredited to the Republics of Benin, Cameroon, Niger, The Gambia and Gabon. 

Her unwavering commitment to advocating for Australia’s Indigenous heritage is reflected in her numerous guest speaking engagements, such as at the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation Torres Strait Women’s Leadership Program, the Australia-New Zealand School of Government, and her significant contribution to the 2024 book Growing Up Torres Strait Islander in Australia. In 2019, Ms Bin-Juda was officially recognised with the Public Service Medal for outstanding service promoting Indigenous heritage in Australia’s cultural and foreign policies.