Gary Quinlan AO was previously one of Australia's most senior and longest-serving diplomats. He served as ambassador to Indonesia, and to the United Nations in New York, including as Representative on the UN Security Council 2013-14. He was High Commissioner to Singapore. He was Senior Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs, Defence and National Security; Deputy Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; and Australia’s Senior Representative to ASEAN and to the East Asia Summit. 

Gary holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) from the University of Newcastle and an honorary Doctor of Letters (Newcastle). He was made an Officer in the Order of Australia (AO) for his service to government, principally in international relations. He is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of International Affairs (FAIIA). Now retired, he remains very active as an analyst and commentator on international developments and Australian foreign policy.