Major General Peter Abigail (Retd)

Peter Abigail joined ASPI as Director in April 2005. In February 2007 he was appointed to the ASPI Council as Executive Director. Prior to that he spent 37 years in the Army. 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.

Peter retired from the Army in 2003 and formed a private company, Peter Abigail & Associates Pty Limited, specialising in strategic consultancy services before taking up his position at ASPI.