The Lowy Institute

Defence is faced with a challenge - to balance force structure and preparedness in a climate that reinforces the need for austerity coupled with a shift in global and strategic weight to our region. In his first major public address after the Chicago NATO Summit, the Chief of the Defence Force, General David Hurley, AC, DSC will address these issues to determine how the ADF must respond to be set for success in the future. General David Hurley was promoted to General and assumed his current appointment as the Chief of the Defence Force on 4 July 2011. He graduated from the Royal Military College, Duntroon into the Royal Australian Infantry Corps and served in the Royal Australian Regiment early in his career. He conducted an exchange with the 1st Battalion Irish Guards (British Army) and upon his return to Australia served with the 5th/7th Battalion. In 1989 General Hurley served a posting as the Mechanised Infantry Adviser, Australian Army Project Team Malaysia. As a Lieutenant Colonel he assumed command