Former Liberal senator Brett Mason has been named as Australia's next ambassador to the Netherlands, just six days after resigning from the Senate.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop announced the appointment of Dr Mason, who served as her parliamentary secretary for the first 15 months of the Abbott government before a demotion in December's reshuffle, on Tuesday afternoon.

Former senator Brett Mason replaces Neil Mules as Australia's next ambassador to the Netherlands. Credit:Rob Homer

Fairfax Media reported at the time

Dr Mason's appointment is the latest in a string of diplomatic postings handed to former Liberal MPs, though when Labor was last in government it took a similar approach.