New Secretary of Defence

“I am pleased to announce I intend to recommend to the Governor-General that she appoint Ms Meghan Quinn as Secretary of the Department of Defence,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Tuesday 28 April 2026.

“This is an historic appointment with Ms Quinn becoming the first woman to substantively hold the position of Secretary of the Department of Defence.

“Ms Quinn has a distinguished career as a senior leader in the Australian Public Service and is currently the Secretary of the Department of Industry, Science and Resources.

“She has advised government on a wide range of Australian and international policy matters.

“She previously held several Deputy Secretary roles at the Department of the Treasury and was head of the Secretariat for the ‘Australia in the Asian Century White Paper’ at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.

“Prior to this, Ms Quinn worked for BHP and the Bank of England.

“In 2009, she was awarded the Public Service Medal for outstanding public service in the development of climate-change policy.”

Meghan Quinn’s term as Defence Secretary will commence on 18 May 2026 for a five-year period.

PM Albanese thanked Greg Moriarty for his service as Secretary of the Department of Defence, and said he looked forward to working with him in his new role as Australian Ambassador to the United States of America.

He also thanked Ms Cath Patterson for acting as Secretary since Greg Moriarty vacated the position as of 19 April 2026.

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