Distinguished Speaker Series: ASIS At 60 - Nick Warner

The Lowy Institute for International Policy invites you to attend the first ever public address by a Director-General of the Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS) in the organisation’s 60-year history, on Thursday, 19 July in Canberra. The ASIS Director General, Nick Warner, will provide a rare insight into an organisation which is by its nature secret and which has a mission to protect and promote Australia's vital interests through the provision of unique intelligence services. In this address, Mr Warner will consider the evolving focus and future priorities of our front-line, international intelligence service against the backdrop of the changing international environment and advances in technology. Nick Warner was appointed as the Director-General of ASIS on 17 August 2009. Before taking up this position, he was the Secretary of Defence from December 2006. Mr Warner has held a number of senior positions in his 40-year distinguished career of public service. Prior to his role as Secretary of Defence, he was the Senior Adviser (International) to the Prime Minister (2005-2006). He has previously held several senior management and policy positions within the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). Overseas, Mr Warner has served as the Special Coordinator of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (2003-2004); High Commissioner, Papua New Guinea (1999-2003); Ambassador, Iran (1994-97); Deputy Head of Mission, Australian Permanent Mission to the Supreme National Council, Cambodia (1991-93); Head, Australian Liaison Office, Namibia (1989-90); and in the Australian Liaison Office, Salisbury, Rhodesia. He worked with the Office of National Assessments and the Joint Intelligence Organisation before joining DFAT in 1988. Mr Warner was awarded a Public Service Medal in 2006 for outstanding public service. In 2011 he was awarded an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for distinguished service to public sector leadership through the development of policy, administration and reform in the areas of intelligence, defence and international relations.