Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Matt Keogh has announced new appointments to the Australian War Memorial (AWM) council.
Geelong Arts Centre Trust chair Lesley Alway, RSL national president Peter Tinley, and Office of Australian War Graves director Major General Wade Stothart have been appointed to the council for three years.
Kim Beazley and Sharon Bown have also been reappointed to the council for a further three years.
In a statement, the minister said the appointees would bring a “fresh, broader perspective” to the council.
“I wish to thank outgoing council members the Honourable Tony Abbott AC, Major General Greg Melick AO RFD FANZCN KC (retired), and Mr Daniel Keighran VC for their stewardship of the memorial and tireless commitment to serving Australia’s veteran community,” Keogh said.
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The council is responsible for the AWM’s conduct, affairs and policy, overseeing major expansion projects, displays, exhibits, and maintenance.
Shadow Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Darren Chester was, last week, beating the drum about the federal government’s delay in announcing new appointments to the council.
On Friday, Chester claimed the AWM council had lost experienced and respected members when their terms ended in September 2025.
These included former political heavyweight Tony Abbott and, soon, Kim Beazley. Additionally, highly regarded veterans and council members Dan Keighran VC and Sharon Bown, and former RSL national president Greg Melick have all seen their council tenures expire.
Labor’s failure to reveal who would replace these appointees was increasingly making veterans nervous, Chester said.
“Veterans are telling me they are increasingly nervous about the final make-up of the AWM council given the critical issues they will be dealing with in the years ahead,” the shadow minister said.
“With the major redevelopment work underway and several sensitive issues, veterans want to know the war memorial will be governed by a balanced and respectful council.”
Chester argued that the AWM was the nation’s most important institution to recognise and commemorate servicemen and women. It could not afford to have what he called a “half-strength governing body”.
“The AWM council is not a place for activists or rewarding political mates with no particular interest in defence or the veteran community,” Chester said.
“We need a well-balanced AWM Council with the skills, experience and wisdom to make sensible decisions in a bipartisan way, which is in the national interest.”
The shadow minister said he had penned a letter to Matt Keogh, calling for an explanation about why there was a delay in announcing new board appointments.
“[The letter aimed] to offer my personal input into ensuring the appointments to the council are non-controversial,” Chester said.
