Mr Peter Tesch

Mr Tesch retired from the Australian Public Service in August 2022 after more than 35 years in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and the Department of Defence.

From May 2019 until August 2022, he was Deputy Secretary, Strategy, Policy, and Industry in the Department of Defence.  He led more than 500 people and controlled a budget of over $700 million in:

• devising and implementing strategy to give effect to government intent;  
• setting the policy frameworks governing Australian Defence Force (ADF) operations and Defence international engagement; and  
• working closely with industry to deliver capabilities for the ADF and foster the growth of sovereign Australian defence industry.

During his 32–year DFAT career, Mr Tesch had diverse roles in Australia and abroad.  His final posting was as Australia’s Ambassador to the Russian Federation from March 2016 until April 2019.  Before this, he held several senior executive positions, including as First Assistant Secretary, International Security Division (January 2014 to December 2015), Assistant Secretary, Arms Control and Disarmament Branch (2000-2002), and Assistant Secretary, Information and Communications Technology Branch (2005-2008).

He previously represented Australia overseas as Ambassador to Germany (2009-2013); CommissionerGeneral for the Shanghai 2010 World Expo (2008-2009); Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, New York (2002-2005); Deputy Commissioner-General at the Expo 2000, Hanover (1999-2000); Ambassador to Kazakhstan (1997-1999); and Third Secretary, Moscow (1989-1991).  Mr Tesch 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).

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