Greg Moriarty

Greg Moriarty
Name	Greg Moriarty
Nationality	Australian
Occupation	Diplomat; Public Servant
Known for	Secretary of the Department of Defence; Ambassador to Israel

Greg Moriarty is an Australian career diplomat and senior public servant who has served in senior roles including Ambassador to Israel and Secretary of the Department of Defence. He has represented Australia in missions dealing with Middle East policy, counterterrorism, and strategic defence relations, engaging with a range of international institutions and partner states. His career spans postings in multilateral and bilateral diplomacy, interaction with regional organizations, and leadership within national security agencies.

Early life and education

Born in Australia, Moriarty completed undergraduate and postgraduate studies before entering the Australian Public Service, studying at institutions linked with international affairs such as the University of Sydney, Australian National University, Monash University, or other Australian universities that commonly educate diplomats. His education encompassed international relations, law, and public policy, preparing him for roles involving interaction with bodies like the United Nations, World Bank, International Monetary Fund, and regional forums such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the Pacific Islands Forum.

Diplomatic career

Moriarty's diplomatic career included assignments in Australian missions and departments interacting with partners such as the United States, United Kingdom, Israel, Japan, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, and multilateral organizations including the United Nations Security Council, the G20, the ASEAN Regional Forum, and the International Atomic Energy Agency. He worked on files that connected to agencies like the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, the Australian Federal Police, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the Department of Defence, while liaising with counterparts from the Central Intelligence Agency, MI6, and the Mossad. His postings and policy work involved issues touching on treaties and agreements such as the Anzac Treaty-era arrangements, partnership frameworks similar to the Five Eyes intelligence alliance, and regional security dialogues like the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue.

Ambassador to Israel

As Ambassador to Israel, Moriarty engaged with Israeli institutions including the Knesset, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Israel), the Israel Defense Forces, and research organizations such as the Weizmann Institute of Science and Technion – Israel Institute of Technology. He maintained relations with regional partners and interlocutors like the Palestinian Authority, the Egyptian General Intelligence Directorate, and the Jordanian Armed Forces, and participated in diplomatic exchanges concerning conflicts like the Israeli–Palestinian conflict and events across the Middle East. His tenure involved cooperation with multinational stakeholders including the European Union, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and bilateral partners such as the United States Department of State and the Department of Defense (United States), addressing issues of security, trade, innovation, and consular assistance during crises.

Secretary of the Department of Defence

Appointed Secretary of the Department of Defence, Moriarty oversaw interactions with defence establishments including the Australian Defence Force, the Department of Defence (United Kingdom), the United States Department of Defense, the Japan Self-Defense Forces, and defence industries tied to corporations such as BAE Systems, Lockheed Martin, and Raytheon Technologies. His leadership intersected with strategic programs and procurement initiatives analogous to the Joint Strike Fighter program, regional force posture discussions involving US Forces Japan, and capability planning linked to exercises like Talisman Sabre and RIMPAC. He coordinated policy alongside ministers from the Cabinet of Australia, parliamentary committees such as the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security, and international security forums including the Shangri-La Dialogue.

Political views and public positions

Moriarty has articulated positions on Australia’s defence posture, international alliances, and regional stability in forums comparable to the Lowy Institute, the International Institute for Strategic Studies, and academic settings at the Griffith University and the Australian National University. He has engaged with debates about relations with China and United States–Australia relations, balancing ties with partners such as Japan and India and participating in dialogues akin to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership discussions. His public commentary and policy guidance intersect with topics discussed by commentators at institutions like the Australian Strategic Policy Institute and media outlets including coverage in publications comparable to the Australian Financial Review and the Sydney Morning Herald.

Honors and awards

Throughout his career, Moriarty has received recognition from Australian institutions and international partners, in line with honors bestowed by bodies such as the Order of Australia, the Australian Honours System, and awards given by foreign governments and academic institutions including universities like the University of New South Wales and think tanks such as the Lowy Institute. His awards reflect service in diplomacy and national security, comparable to commendations granted by counterparts in the United States, United Kingdom, and regional allies.

Category:Australian diplomats Category:Australian public servants