Lieutenant-General Peter Leahy retired from the Australian army in July 2008 having concluded his 37 year military career with six years as Chief of Army. Within a year he was on the boards of Codan and Electro Optic Systems (EOS). More recently, EOS has been exporting its weapon systems to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates while the Yemen war has raged despite multiple reports of war crimes by these countries and a situation in Yemen which the UN has called the world’s worst humanitarian catastrophe.
most recent search Michelle Fahy
Family Ties: Defence contracts go to company linked to wife of former army chief
The wife of former Chief of Army Peter Leahy is a director of a company that earned $2.2 million in revenue from federal government contracts before Leahy resigned as Chief.
Peter Cosgrove
Peter Cosgrove was in the Australian Army for forty years, a career that culminated in the top job, Chief of the Defence Force. After retiring from the Defence Force, and before his appointment as Governor-General, Cosgrove developed a portfolio of directorships, which included a previously unrevealed appointment, six years on the Australian board of Leonardo, an Italian multinational and world top 10 arms manufacturer. Leonardo was part of the consortium supplying the ADF with 47 new multi-role helicopters, a project that commenced while Cosgrove was CDF.
Pork Missile: Government fires cash at weapons-maker EOS in Battle for Eden-Monaro
ACT remote weapons systems manufacturer, Electro Optic Systems Holdings, which has hitched its wagon to countries known to be engaged in gross violations of human rights and likely war crimes, wins big from the Coalition’s weapons announcement on eve of by-election, writes Michelle Fahy.
Tony Fraser
Tony Fraser was in the Australian Army for 34 years, including a final stint in Defence’s weapons buying arm as Head of Helicopter Systems. From there he exited to industry, leading Finmeccanica’s Australian operation (now Leonardo) then moving to Airbus Australia. Both corporations were in the consortium supplying Defence with $3.5 billion of new helicopters. In November 2018, Fraser moved back into government as the Head of Defence’s weapons buying group.
Merv Davis
Commodore Merv Davis left the Royal Australian Navy in 2003 having been Commander of Navy Systems. He immediately joined Saab Systems (Australia) as Managing Director.
Gabrielle Costigan
A former Colonel in the Australian Army who led logistic operations for both the Australian and US governments. Left the military and moved into a US-based military industry company. Currently, CEO of BAE Systems Australia.
Weapons of Influence: BAE arms boss turns Premier’s right-hand man
As part of her series of investigations into the close links between the military industry and politics, Michelle Fahy reports on former weapons chief executive for BAE, Jim McDowell, who is now at the centre of government in the Defence State, South Australia.
Jim McDowell
After 37 years in military industry, Jim McDowell moved from BAE Systems Saudi Arabia onto the board of the Australian Nuclear Science Technology Organisation. He was also given $1.5 million in Defence contracts, joined the boards of various military industry companies, and was made Chancellor of UniSA, which has extensive research links with military industry. He is now Chief Executive, Department of the Premier and Cabinet, SA, “The Defence State”.
Stephen Loosley
Stephen Loosley was a NSW ALP Senator from 1990 to 1995. From November 2012 to September 2016 he was Chair of the Woomera Prohibited Area Advisory Board, a role required to be...
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