While in London, Adamson met Foreign MinisterStephen Smith, who asked her to become his Chief of Staff.[5] She took the role on condition that she could manage her young family, and that as a "career diplomat" she would not get involved in politics.[3] When Smith moved to the Defence portfolio, she went with him.[3]
Between 2011 and 2015, Adamson held the post of Australian Ambassador to the People's Republic of China, the first woman in the position.[6][7][8][9] During her time there, the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement was negotiated and she has been credited with pushing the idea of partnership with the newly appointed Xi Jinping, allowing the "political and diplomatic relationships" between the two countries to "finally" catch up with the economic one.[3]
In 2015, Adamson was appointed a foreign policy adviser to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.[10][11]
In closing her diplomatic career, Adamson was highly critical of China. In her final address, as Secretary DFAT, at the National Press Club, on 23 June 2021, Adamson warned of Chinese "insecurity and power" and advised that Australia "needs to know what it is we’re dealing with". Adamson commented that Beijing was driven by the “volatile combination” of power and insecurity and there was no chance of its outlook changing in the short-term as it suffered from a “siege mentality”. Adamson’s criticisms had been reported throughout the preceding 12 months by the media including her accusations of China seeking to “stoke ethnic divisions in Australia”.[16][17][18][19]
President of the ACT Division of the Institute of Public Administration
Adamson served as president of the ACT Division of the Institute of Public Administration Australia (IPAA) from 2017 to 2019 and outlined her views on public service in her final speech as president.[20] She was made a National Fellow of IPAA in 2019.[21]
On Wednesday 26 September 2018, IPAA ACT hosted a Secretary Address by Kathryn Campbell, then Secretary of the Department of Social Services, formerly Secretary of the Department of Human Services, and responsible for Robodebt. The event was chaired by Adamson, then Secretary of the DFAT and IPAA ACT President., In her closing chair remarks, Adamson congratulated Campbell and praised her performance as a Secretary including over Robodebt. The IPAA event was held after the completion of the Commonwealth Ombudsman Investigation into Robodebt in April 2017 and the subsequent First Senate committee inquiry which began in March 2017.[22][23][24][25][26]
Governor of South Australia
On 19 May 2021, it was announced by Premier Steven Marshall that Adamson would be succeeding Hieu Van Le as Governor of South Australia in October 2021.[27] Following her nomination for Governor of South Australia, Adamson retired from the public service in June 2021.[27] Foreign Minister Marise Payne said Adamson was one of "Australia's most accomplished and respected public servants and diplomats" and Marshall said her "wealth of knowledge on the international stage will put South Australia in good stead as we continue to put South Australia on the global map."[27]
In the 2021 Queen's Birthday Honours Adamson was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia for "eminent service to public administration through the advancement of Australia's diplomatic, trade and cultural interests, particularly with the People's Republic of China and the Indo-Pacific region, to innovative foreign policy development and high level program delivery, and as the 36th Governor appointed in South Australia."[29]
Personal life
Adamson met and married Rod Bunten, a British diplomat, when they were both posted in Hong Kong.[3] They have four children.[30]
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