Peter Jennings AO PSM

Peter Jennings is widely regarded as Australia’s leading defence and strategy thinker and one of Canberra’s most influential national security insiders. Since the early 1990s, he has advised Prime Ministers, Defence Ministers and senior national security leaders on some of the most complex strategic challenges Australia has faced, from East Timor’s path to independence to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and the rise of an increasingly assertive China.

Peter led the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) for a decade, standing down as Executive Director in April 2022. Under his leadership, ASPI became Australia’s largest and most influential defence and security think tank, playing a central role in shaping public debate on national security, defence capability, cyber security and foreign interference. He is recognised as a fearless advocate for Australia’s national interests, including publicly calling out Beijing’s covert attempts to interfere in Australian democracy.

A seasoned public speaker and accomplished media commentator, Peter regularly analyses global security issues including the war in Ukraine, Indo-Pacific stability, cyber warfare and great-power competition. Known for his clarity, depth of knowledge and confidence in unscripted Q&A, he is highly regarded by both expert and general audiences. He also writes extensively for The Australian and other outlets on defence and international affairs.

Before joining ASPI, Peter spent more than 20 years in the Australian Public Service, rising to Deputy Secretary for Strategy in the Department of Defence. Among his achievements, he negotiated the ‘enhanced cooperation’ agreement that brought rotating detachments of US Marines to northern Australia and laid the foundations for expanded US Navy and Air Force cooperation with the Australian Defence Force. In 2011, he also negotiated a landmark cyber security agreement with the United States, ensuring that significant cyber-attacks would be considered jointly under the mutual obligations of the ANZUS Treaty.

Peter was closely involved in shaping policy for Australia’s military operations in East Timor, Iraq and Afghanistan, for which he was awarded the Public Service Medal in 2013. Earlier, he served as Senior Adviser for Strategic Policy to Prime Minister John Howard (2002–03) and as Chief of Staff to Defence Minister Ian MacLachlan during the Howard Government’s first term.

During his time at ASPI, Peter advised the Australian Government as head of the External Advisory Panel for the 2016 Defence White Paper. He also served on DFAT’s Advisory Group on Australia–Africa Relations, helped develop a bilateral cooperation plan as a member of the Australia–Germany Advisory Group, and built deep insight into Canberra’s political and policy-making environment through extensive networks across Parliament, the Public Service, the Australian Defence Force, the diplomatic community and the press gallery.

Peter has developed a global network of strategic and defence contacts across the Indo-Pacific, Europe and North America. His contributions have been recognised internationally, including being appointed a Knight of the French Legion of Honour in 2015 and receiving a Commendation from the Japanese Foreign Minister in 2021 for promoting closer bilateral relations.

Born in Zimbabwe (then Rhodesia), Peter was educated at Chevalier College in Bowral, New South Wales. He holds an Honours degree in European history from the University of Tasmania, a Master of Arts in International Relations from the Australian National University, and a Master of Science in Management from London Business School. He has also been a Fulbright Fellow at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.