Mark Binskin
In June 2018, Mark Binskin was Chief of the Defence Force when BAE Systems Australia was awarded the $35 billion Future Frigate contract, the largest surface warship program in Australia’s history. The following month Binskin retired. He has since been appointed in a non-executive director role with BAE Systems. The contract for the $1.2 billion upgrade of the Jindalee Operational Radar Network was also awarded to BAE in the final months of Binskin’s tenure.
Current Positions
Non-executive director, defence and national security policy, BAE Systems Australia (part time role; start date supplied by BAE) (July 2019–present)
Non-Executive Director, Nihon Cyber Defence, (2021–Present)
Chair, Civil Aviation Safety Authority (Aug 2021–Present)
Director, Western Parkland City Authority (March 2019–present)
Deputy chair, Airservices Australia (current term: 13.9.18–13.9.21). Airservices Australia is working with the Defence Department and Thales Australia to deliver OneSKY, the integration of Australia’s civilian and military air traffic control systems.
Chair, Australia Pacific Security College Advisory Board (2019–Present)
Director, Australian International Military Games (Invictus Games) (22.4.16–present)*
* ASIC record, accessed 20.3.20
Previous Positions
Royal Australian Air Force (1984-6.7.18), including:
- Chief of the Defence Force (30.6.14–6.7.18)
- Vice Chief of the Defence Force (2011–2014)
- Chief of Air Force (2008–2011)
Royal Australian Navy (1978–1984)
Other Positions
Deputy Chair, Sir Richard Williams Foundation (start date supplied by Williams Foundation) (30.10.18–present)^
^The Williams Foundation is a think tank which aims to maximise the role of air power in national and regional security. It says it “conducts its operations independently and has no political or industry ties,” however it is sponsored by a bevy of weapons industry corporations, while several of its board members, including its Chair, Geoff Brown, and Deputy Chair, Mark Binskin, serve on the boards of, and/or are otherwise engaged by or associated with, one or more weapons industry corporations (some of which also sponsor the Foundation). The Foundation is registered as a charity.
James is studying a bachelor of Communication (Journalism) at the University of Technology Sydney. He is a producer at 2SER radio and contributor at UTS’s Central News.