Safeguarding Australia Summit

Julie Sunday (BSc Hons [Integrated Science], Carleton University, 1996; MA [Geography], McMaster University, 1999; PhD [Political Anthropology], McMaster University’s Institute on Globalization and the Human Condition, 2005) joined the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade in 2005. She has served at 2 of Canada’s central agencies—the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat and the Privy Council Office—and was director general of Clean Technology Innovation at Natural Resources Canada. At Global Affairs Canada, she has served as director for science, technology and innovation; director general and adviser to the chief financial officer; director general, security and emergency management, and chief security officer; and director general for pandemic response, a role in which she led the department’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution campaign. Most recently, she served as assistant deputy minister for the Consular, Security and Emergency Management Branch and led Canada’s consular policy and operations; travel advice; and international emergency policy, operations and response. She also spearheaded efforts to advance the Canada-led Declaration Against Arbitrary Detention in State-to-State Relations. Julie was named Canada’s first senior official for hostage affairs in October 2023 and has led diplomatic engagement to support the release of hostages abroad.

Air Marshal Robert Chipman joined the Royal Australian Air Force in 1989 as an Officer Cadet at the Australian Defence Force Academy, graduating from Sydney University with an Honours degree in Aeronautical Engineering in 1992. He was appointed Vice Chief of the Defence Force on 9 July 2024.

He completed Pilot’s Course in 1994, F/A-18 Operational Conversion in 1995 and Fighter Combat Instructor Course in 1999. Following various operational and instructor assignments, he commanded No 75 Squadron from 2006-2009 and No 81 Wing from 2013-2014. In 2008, No 75 Squadron was awarded the Duke of Gloucester Cup for the most proficient flying squadron and the Kittyhawk Trophy in 2009 for the most proficient fighter squadron.

Air Marshal Chipman has staff experience in capability development roles within Capability Development Group and Air Force Headquarters. He has completed a tour as Director of the Australian Air and Space Operations Centre within Headquarters Joint Operations Command. In 2015, he was an inaugural Director of Plan Jericho, an Air Force transformation program intended to deliver joint, integrated air and space capability for the Australian Defence Force.

On promotion to Air Vice-Marshal in 2019 Air Marshal Chipman served as Australia’s Military Representative to NATO and the European Union. He was the Head of Military Strategic Commitments, responsible for the strategic level management and situational awareness of current and potential Australian Defence Force commitments from January 2021, until his selection as Chief of Air Force and promotion to Air Marshal in July 2022.

Air Marshal Chipman deployed on Operation SLIPPER in 2012 as a Battlecab Director in the United States Air Force 609th Air and Space Operations Centre. He deployed on Operation OKRA in 2014 as inaugural Commander Air Task Unit 630.1, for which he was awarded a Conspicuous Service Cross in 2015. He was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 2019 for his exceptional service to the Australian Defence Force in coalition air operations, air combat capability preparedness, and strategic capability development and sustainment and an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2024 for his distinguished service in responsible positions as Australia’s Military Representative to NATO and as Head of Military Strategic Commitments Branch.

Air Marshal Chipman has completed a Masters in Business Administration and graduated as a fellow of the Defence and Strategic Studies Course in 2016. He is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and Oxford Advanced Management and Leadership Programme. He is also an alumni of the Cranlana Institute and has completed the United Nations Senior Mission Leaders Course.

Air Marshal Chipman is married to Alyce and has 4 sons, Thomas, Oliver, Darcy and Charlie. He enjoys keeping fit and reading.

Hamish commenced as the Head of National Security on 17 July 2025. In this role he is responsible for integrating the national security mission across Home Affairs. Hamish also holds the positions of Commonwealth Counter-Terrorism Coordinator and the National Counter Foreign Interference Coordinator.​

From 2023 to 2025, Hamish was the Deputy Secretary of Cyber and Infrastructure Security Group, bringing together cyber security and technology security policy, critical infrastructure and transport security policy, regulation and partnerships, protective security policy and background checking under the AusCheck scheme.

Prior to this, Hamish was the Inaugural Head of the then Cyber and Infrastructure Security Centre, a role he held from 1 September 2021, leading the principal critical infrastructure security regulatory authority, policy and program functions.

Immediately prior to this role, Hamish undertook a range of Division Head roles including leading the Cyber, Digital and Technology Policy Division, the National Security and Law Enforcement Policy Division as well Deputy Head of the COVID-19 National Coordination Mechanism.

Hamish has held Senior Executive Service positions in the former Department of Immigration and Border Protection and the former Australian Crime Commission.

Hamish has also served in a range of intelligence, policy, planning, and program delivery roles in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Attorney General's Department, the Australian Senate and the former Office of Transport Security.

Hamish started his career in the National Museum of Australia.

Hamish has a Bachelor of Arts (ANU), Bachelor of Asian Studies (ANU and Gadjah Mada University) and an ANZSOG Executive Masters of Public Administration.

Stephen Moore commenced as the inaugural First Assistant Secretary AUKUS Advanced Capabilities in July 2023, responsible for implementation of Pillar II of AUKUS across the Defence organisation. Prior to that, he served as First Assistant Secretary Defence Industry Policy since December 2021, where he developed and implemented international and domestic defence industry policy.

Stephen has held a number of senior positions in Defence, including Deputy Director of the Defence Intelligence Organisation, a long-term acting role as First Assistant Secretary International Policy, and as a senior advisor to a Minister. Prior to those roles, Stephen held the position of Assistant Secretary Global Interests, in the Department of Defence’s International Policy Division.

Stephen joined the Australian Defence Department when he commenced working for International Policy Division early in 2006, covering a wide range of areas including the Pacific, North Asia and the Middle East. He has been responsible for developing strategic and operations policy relating to Australia’s military commitments to Iraq and Afghanistan, and has deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan as a policy advisor to Australian commanders in theatre.

Stephen has science degrees in Neurobiology and Geophysics, and came to the Australian Defence Department after a career in the oil and gas industry.  He also holds a Masters Degree in International Relations from the Australian National University. 

Dr S. Kate Conroy (née Devitt) is a specialist in building trustworthy, ethical, and assured robotics, autonomous systems, and artificial Intelligence (RAS-AI) systems in both military and civilian domains. She has a PhD in philosophy (epistemology, cognitive science and applied ethics) and graduate certificate in cognitive science Rutgers University NJ USA and a BA (Hons) 1st Class History & Philosophy of Science Melbourne University (philosophy of statistics). She is Adjunct Professor QUT Centre for Robotics and Adjunct A/Professor Human-Centred Computing ITEE, University of Queensland. Kate is Specialist Advisor AI Safety and Assurance Queensland Government and Specialist Capability Officer (Lead Responsible AI), Jericho Disruptive Innovation, Royal Australian Air Force. She is one of '100 Brilliant Women AI Ethics 2023' and '50 Women in Robotics You Need to Know About 2021'.

Mr Chris Crozier was recently appointed Chief Information Officer, leading the Defence Digital Group at Defence. Prior to joining Defence, Mr Crozier was the Group Chief Information Officer for Orica International, the world’s largest manufacturer and supplier of explosives for mining and civil construction. As the Group Chief Information Officer, Mr Crozier was accountable for global digital technology strategies and operations across a footprint of the organisation spanning 120 countries, covering Business (IT), Customer (IoT) and Manufacturing (OT) systems, including the governance of Orica’s digital ecosystems, architecture, data, and cyber posture. Prior to this, Mr Crozier held executive roles within Orica as Vice President of AusPac (60% of Orica’s global EBIT), Chief Digital Officer and Global Vice President Supply Chain; and BHP as Global Chief Information Officer and Global Chief Procurement Officer. As a 35-year veteran of the Mining and Resources Sector, having commenced his professional life with Rio Tinto as a Research Engineer, Mr Crozier has experienced the highs and lows of the commodity cycle. He has worked in Asia for more than 25 years, residing in Singapore for 18 years. Mr Crozier has a Chemical Engineering Degree (Honours First Class) and Master of Business Administration. In his spare time, Mr Crozier enjoys endurance sports, including cycling, running and swimming

Dr Paul Robards is the Chief Data Integration Officer (CDIO). He is responsible for the Defence Data Strategy and the OneDefence Data Platform, which will enable Defence to better govern, trust, share, discover and use data. He is also responsible for the Defence Artificial Intelligence Centre (DAIC), which will accelerate the adoption of AI in Defence, and ensure appropriate governance and assurance. Paul also manages the implementation of the Defence Business Integration Program to ensure the right capability investment and intended effects are realised across the Defence enterprise. Paul served for over 30 years in the Australian Army. He studied for his Civil Engineering degree at the Australian Defence Force Academy before undertaking postings to engineering units in Sydney, Brisbane and Papua New Guinea. After completing a Masters of Science in Management at the US Naval Postgraduate School in 2001, he worked in Army Headquarters and Defence People Group in roles such as strategic workforce planning, workforce analysis and people policy. After completing an operations analysis course and training with Defence Science and Technology, he deployed to Afghanistan in 2011 and 2012 as an operations analyst. Following his operational experience, he worked with NATO partners to develop joint doctrine to manage the risk of green-on-blue attacks. Paul transitioned to the Defence public service in 2019. As a member of the Defence Senior Executive Service, he has worked across a number roles in People Group where he was responsible for delivering HR and people services, the management of HR systems, and HR transformation. Paul was appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia in the 2010 Queens' Birthday honours. In 2011, after several years of part-time research, he was conferred a Doctor of Philosophy in Information Science from the US Naval Postgraduate School.

David is the First Assistant Secretary, Defence Trade, Regulation and Industrial Collaboration, in the Australian Department of Defence (formerly Defence Industry Policy Division) and is responsible for Defence Industry International Policy and Defence Export Controls. The Division shapes Defence’s international engagement with industry, supporting deterrence by denial through industrial collaboration. It drives and implements the Government’s policies to expand international industrial engagement, and regulates the export of military and dual-use goods and technologies consistent with Australia’s national interests and international obligations. David previously held the role of First Assistant Secretary People Policy and Culture. In this role, David was responsible for people policy and employment conditions for both APS and ADF, entry level and graduate recruitment programs, cultural reform, indigenous affairs, diversity and inclusion and learning and development strategies. Prior to Defence, David worked in the Department of Home Affairs in several areas including identity and biometrics, major procurement activity and contracts related to supporting Regional Processing Centres in Papua New Guinea and Nauru. David spent a number of years with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on postings including in Washington D.C. and Bangkok. David also has extensive private sector experience working for multinational companies such as Fujitsu, PA Consulting and Accenture in delivering change management and project management outcomes. David holds an Executive MBA from the Australian Graduate School of Management, University of New South Wales, a Masters in Security Policy Studies from the George Washington University in the United States, and a Bachelor of Arts from the Australian National University in Canberra.

Dr Lesley Seebeck is Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Geomastery Advisory, Senior Fellow at Strategic Analysis Australia, and holds independent member roles on several audit committees. She has held senior executive roles in the federal government, in technology, defence and national security, and finance, was the former head and professor at the ANU Cyber Institute, former Professor of Cyber Leadership and Strategy at UNSW, and a federal government CIO of the year (2017). Dr Seebeck holds degrees in physics, defence studies, business administration and a PhD in information technology. 

Matthew (Matt) Warren is the Director of the RMIT University Centre for Cyber Security Research and Innovation and a Professor of Cyber Security at RMIT University. He has held roles such as Deputy Director of University Research Centre, Head of School, Deputy Head of School, Program Leader for several programs during his tenure at Deakin University.

Matt is a researcher in the areas of Cyber Security and Computer Ethics. He has received numerous grants and awards from national and international funding bodies, such as: Australian Research Council (ARC); Engineering Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) in the United Kingdom; National Research Foundation (NRF) in South Africa.

Matt has taught in Australia, Finland, Hong Kong and the United Kingdom.

Mr Allan Dundas is the founder, Chair and Chief Executive Officer of DEWC Services Pty Ltd, a rapidly growing Australian defence capability company based in South Australia with over 100 staff. He is an accomplished company director, business leader, engineer and proud Australian Defence Force (ADF) Veteran.

Mr Dundas has over 30 years of experience in national defence, having served in uniform, civilian and industry roles. He commenced his career with the Royal Australian Air Force in 1990 at the age of 17 and holds a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering with First Class Honours from UNSW awarded at the Australian Defence Force Academy. He also holds master’s degrees in systems engineering and business administration, is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a Fellow of Engineers Australia.

Under Mr Dundas’ leadership, DEWC Services is actively contributing to Australia’s sovereign capability in emerging critical technologies. These include the maturation of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Agile Core Platform, development of Synthetic Intelligent Agent Systems with AI-based reasoning, deployment of Large Language Model (LLM) Demonstrators and advancement of Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) Distribution and Modelling Enterprise Tools.

In addition to his executive role at DEWC, Mr Dundas serves as Chair of the School of Information Operations and sits on the Boards of the Australian Chapter of the Association of Old Crows (AOC) and the Defence Teaming Centre (DTC).

After a distinguished 35 year Army career, Stephen has undertaken a variety of advisory and NFP board roles. Stephen is Chairman of CI-ISAC Australia, a NFP company providing Cyber Threat Intelligence sharing services to critical Infrastructure owner and operators. Stephen also facilitates leadership and management workshops for Ethos CRS, a Canberra-based training company. During his Army career Stephen was an intelligence and capability development professional his final seven years as a Brigadier spent leading intelligence analysis and capability development programs. An Arts graduate with multiple Masters degrees, he is passionate about the application of new technologies and techniques to provide capability advantage and of the power of sharing data and intelligence within trusted communities. He is a graduate of the AICD Company Director's Course, the Harvard Kennedy School and is certified as a Managing Successful Programs (MSP) practitioner.