Lieutenant General Peter Leahy AC (Ret’d)
CHAIR
Peter Leahy retired from the Army in July 2008 after 37 years as a soldier. As an infantry officer the focus of his career was with soldiers in command, training and staff appointments. He was fortunate enough to command at almost every level in the Army and to serve on exchange in Hong Kong with the Gurkhas and in the United States at the U.S. Army’s Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth.
Peter concluded his career in the Army with the rank of Lieutenant General in the appointment of the Chief of Army. He served in this appointment for 6 years, which was the longest period of service as Chief since General Harry Chauvel in the 1920s.
His period of command was marked by the continuous global deployment of Australian soldiers on high tempo, complex and demanding combat operations. During his tenure as Chief of Army he was responsible for the rapid expansion and development of the Army to enable it to cope with the many changing demands of modem conflict. His focus was to enlarge the Army and provide a hardened and networked force with increased adaptability and flexibility.
Since leaving the Army Peter has joined the University of Canberra as a Professor and the foundation Director of the National Security Institute. He is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has been appointed to the Boards of Codan Limited, Citadel Group Limited and Electro Optic Systems Holdings Limited.
In other government related appointments he is a member of the Defence South Australia Advisory Board and is currently a member of the First Principles Review of Defence. He was appointed to this position by the Minister for Defence in 2014.
In work related to charities he is Chairman of the Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal Committee in the ACT, Chairman of”Soldier On”, which aims to support physically and psychologically wounded Australian soldiers and the Chairman of the not for profit charity the Australian International Military Games which will run the Invictus Games in Australia in 2018. He is a Trustee of the Prince’s Charities Australia.
He also plays an active role in making commentary on defence and security matters on television and radio and in the print media in Australia.