Peter Tesch is an Adjunct Professor in the School of Languages and Cultures at the University of Queensland and a Visiting Fellow at the ANU Centre for European Studies.
As Deputy Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and Industry in the Department of Defence (2019–2022), Mr Tesch 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 Mr Tesch take the Australian lead for AUKUS Advanced Capabilities under Pillar Two, focusing on generating warfighting advantages for our militaries in areas like hypersonics, underseas warfare, artificial intelligence, and quantum sensing.
After graduating from the University of Queensland, Mr Tesch 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).
Mr Tesch 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.
