Peter Tesch had a 35-year career in the Australian federal public service, which he left in August 2022 as a Deputy Secretary in the Department of Defence.

Upon graduating from the University of Queensland, Peter joined the Department of Foreign Affairs in 1987. His roles included: Ambassador to the Russian Federation (2016-2019); head of the International Security Division (2014-2015); Ambassador to Germany (2009-2013); Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations (2002-2005); Ambassador to Kazakhstan (1997-1999); and Third Secretary in the USSR (1989-1991). He also served in the Office of the Minister for Trade (1993-1994) and as Deputy Director of the department’s Victorian State Office (1994-1996). He was project director for Australia’s participation in the world expos in Hannover (2000) and, until his appointment to Berlin, Shanghai (2010).

As Deputy Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and Industry in the Department of Defence (2019-2022), Peter led a group of more than 500 people, with a budget of over $700 million. He was centrally involved in the development and implementation of strategy and policy governing the Australian Defence Force’s activities in and beyond the Indo-Pacific region. The launch in September 2021 of the AUKUS partnership with the United Kingdom and the United States saw Peter take the Australian lead for AUKUS Advanced Capabilities (“Pillar Two”), focusing on generating warfighting advantages for our militaries in areas like hypersonic, underseas warfare, artificial intelligence, and quantum sensing.

Between August and December 2023, Peter co-led the Independent Review of the Defence Trade Controls Act 2012, the recommendations of which were adopted by the federal government in early 2024.

Peter writes for ASPI Strategist and other outlets and appears frequently in the electronic media as a commentator on international security and foreign policy issues.

Peter has a Bachelor of Arts degree with Honours and a Doctorate of Letters honoris causa from the University of Queensland. He speaks German and Russian.