Former WA MP Peter Tinley appointed to Australian War Memorial council

Special Forces veteran and former WA minister Peter Tinley has joined the Australian War Memorial’s council as the Government moved to fill several vacancies.

He’ll join Kim Beazley, the current chair of the council, who has been reappointed for three years.

The West Australian in October revealed Mr Tinley was in line for the job after he won a three-way contest to become the new RSL national president.

Veterans Affairs Minister Matt Keogh announced on Saturday he had appointed Mr Tinley to the council along with experienced arts administrator Lesley Alway, and Major General Wade Stothart (Retd), who recently started as director of the Office of Australian War Graves.

He also reappointed Sharon Bown.

The council oversees the AWM’s affairs and policy, including its displays and exhibits which are being updated in a major expansion project.

There have been three vacancies on the War Memorial’s governing body, including that of Mr Tinley’s immediate predecessor at the RSL, Greg Melick.

While there is no rule that the RSL must have representation on the War Memorial’s governing body, there is a long history of close ties between the two organisations.

Former prime minister Tony Abbott and Victoria Cross winner Daniel Keighran have also left the council after their terms expired.

“The new appointments will bring a fresh, broader perspective to the Council, while the reappointment of two existing Council members will also ensure continuity and retention of corporate knowledge,” Mr Keogh said.

He highlighted Ms Alway’s work as chair of the Geelong Arts Centre Trust since 2018 and three decades of experience in cultural organisations and visual art as something that would “greatly benefit the council during the Memorial’s development project”.

Mr Tinley was a WA State MP and minister over 14 years before he retired at the March election.

Before entering politics, he served in the Australian Defence Force for 25 years, including 17 years with the SAS and time as the deputy commander of Special Forces task groups in Afghanistan and Iraq.

He is close to Mr Beazley and used his first speech in Parliament to thank the former Federal Labor leader for his personal commitment, advice and “long chats in the white wicker chairs of his front veranda”.