CANBERRA—The Australian Institute of International Affairs (AIIA) marks a leadership transition this month, with Gary Quinlan AO FAIIA assuming the role of national president as Dr Heather Smith PSM FAIIA retires.
Dr Smith’s time as national president marked a period of active engagement for the institute, during which she helped strengthen its national presence and deepen its contribution to public discussion on international affairs.
Reflecting on her tenure, she described it as “a privilege to serve an organisation dedicated to informed, independent debate on the issues shaping Australia’s place in the world.”
“The AIIA has an important role in fostering thoughtful dialogue across the country,” she said. “I am proud of what we have achieved over the past three years and confident the institute will continue to grow in impact under our incoming president Gary Quinlan’s leadership.”
Dr Smith will be particularly remembered for her series of cornerstone speeches at the AIIA National Conference, most recently in 2025, where she offered a clear-eyed assessment of the challenges facing the global order and Australia’s place within it. Her addresses were widely regarded as setting the tone for informed national discussion on international affairs.
Gary Quinlan brings extensive diplomatic experience to the position, including his service as Australia’s ambassador to the United Nations from 2009 to 2015 and as Australia’s representative on the UN Security Council, where he served twice as its president.
His career has also been deeply shaped by engagement in Australia’s immediate region. As ambassador to Indonesia from 2018 to 2021—one of Australia’s most significant diplomatic postings—Mr Quinlan worked at the centre of a relationship of enduring strategic importance. He had previously served as high commissioner to Singapore and as Australia’s senior official to ASEAN and the East Asia Summit. He was the lead negotiator on the 2018 maritime treaty with Timor-Leste, underscoring his long-standing focus on regional diplomacy as Australia renews its emphasis on its near abroad.
“It’s an honour to take on the role of National President”, he said. “With its unique reach across Australia through its branches in every State and Territory, some of which have been in operation for a century, is the oldest cornerstone of discussion on international policy in Australia. And I very much look forward to building on Heather’s legacy and supporting the Institute’s mission to strengthen understanding of what is the most difficult global environment we’ve faced over the last eighty years.”
AIIA Vice President The Honourable Paul Lucas also welcomed the transition, noting the strength of both leaders’ contributions. “Our organisation is 100 years old, and it has always called on figures of international standing to lead it. And with our new president, Gary Quinlan, we continue in that tradition. Heather Smith has provided outstanding leadership over the past three years, helping to elevate the institute’s national profile and impact,” he said. “Gary Quinlan’s depth of experience in international diplomacy makes him an excellent choice to lead the AIIA into its next chapter.”
