Career
On 9 August 2012, Bob Carr appointed Philp as Australian ambassador to Afghanistan. He presented his credentials to Afghan President Hamid Karzai on 31 January 2013. Prior to his ambassadorial appointment, Philosophy was the Assistant Secretary, International Organisations Branch and Assistant Secretary, Consular Operations Branch.
He has previously served overseas as Ambassador to Turkey.
Deputy Head of Mission, Myanmar and postings to Saudi Arabia, Vientiane, London, Nairobi and Madrid. Philp holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) from the Australian National University.
He speaks Arabic and French. 1986-1988 - Third Secretary, Australian Embassy in Riyadh
1992-1995 - Deputy Head of Mission, Australian Embassy in Yangon
1996-1998 - Director, Southeast Asian Issues
1999 - Assistance Secretary, Diplomatic Security Branch
2001-2004 - Ambassador, Australian Embassy in Ankara
2004-2007 - Head of International Relations, Woodside Petroleum
2008-2009 - Somalia Taskforce, Nairobi
2009-2011 - Assistance Secretary, Consular Operations Branch
2012 - Assistant Secretary, International Organisations Branch
2013–2015 - Ambassador, Australian Embassy in Kabul.