Peter Abigail joined ASPI as Director in April 2005. Prior to that he spent 37 years in the Army before retiring in 2003. Following promotion to Major General in December 1996, he served in a range of senior leadership appointments in the Defence Organisation. As Assistant Chief of the Defence Force (Policy and Strategic Guidance) and then Head Strategic Policy and Plans (Australian Defence Headquarters) (1996–1998) he was responsible for key aspects of Defence policy, military strategy and capability development. As Deputy Chief of Army (1998–2000) he was responsible for managing the Army and its interaction with other Defence stakeholders. In his final appointment, as Land Commander Australia (2000–2002), he commanded all of the Army’s operational forces, full time and reserves, including those that were committed to operations in East Timor, Bougainville and Afghanistan.
During his appointment with ASPI he has been a member of the Defence and National Security Advisory Council to the Minister for Defence, The Hon. Dr Brendan Nelson MP, and a member of the Defence White Paper Ministerial Advisory Panel for the Minister for Defence, The Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon MP. He was appointed to the ASPI Council in March 2007.