Defence Leaders: Secretary
Mr Nick Warner
Secretary of Defence (SECDEF)
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Nick Warner was appointed as the Secretary of Defence on 4 December 2006. Prior to taking up this position he was the Senior Adviser (International) to the Prime Minister, a role he occupied from July 2005.
Mr Warner has held a number of senior positions, most recently as Deputy Secretary, in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. These have included First Assistant Secretary, South Pacific, Africa and Middle East Division (2003), First Assistant Secretary, South and South East Asia Division (1998-99), Acting First Assistant Secretary, Public Affairs and Consular Division (1997-98), Assistant Secretary, Parliamentary and Media Branch and Senior Spokesman (1997-98), Director, Central and Southern Africa Section (1990-91) and Director, South Asia, Africa, Middle East Trade Section (1988-89). In the Office of National Assessments, Mr Warner held the positions of Deputy Head, Current Intelligence Branch and National Assessments Officer for Africa (1979-88). Mr Warner worked in the Joint Intelligence Organisation (1973-77).
Overseas, Mr Warner has served as the Special Coordinator of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (2003-2004), High Commissioner, Port Moresby (1999-2003), Ambassador, Tehran (1994-97), Deputy Head of Mission, Australian Permanent Mission to the Supreme National Council, Cambodia (1991-93) and Head, Australian Liaison Office, Namibia (1989-90), and in the Australian Liaison Office, Salisbury, Rhodesia (1980).
Born in Singapore, Mr Warner holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with honours in History and Asian Studies and a Master of Arts degree in History from the Australian National University.