General David John Hurley, AC, CVO, DSC, FTSE (born 26 August 1953) is an Australian former senior officer in the Australian Army who served as the 27th governor-general of Australia from 2019 to 2024. He was previously the 38th governor of New South Wales from 2014 to 2019.

David Hurley
Official portrait, 2019
27th Governor-General of Australia
In office
1 July 2019 – 1 July 2024
MonarchsElizabeth II
Charles III
Prime MinisterScott Morrison
Anthony Albanese
Preceded bySir Peter Cosgrove
Succeeded bySam Mostyn
38th Governor of New South Wales
In office
2 October 2014 – 1 May 2019
MonarchElizabeth II
PremierMike Baird
Gladys Berejiklian
LieutenantTom Bathurst
Preceded byDame Marie Bashir
Succeeded byMargaret Beazley
Personal details
Born
David John Hurley

(1953-08-26) 26 August 1953 (age 71)
Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
Spouse
Linda McMartin
(m. 1977)
Children3
Signature
Military service
AllegianceAustralia
Branch/serviceAustralian Army
Years of service1972–2014
RankGeneral
CommandsChief of the Defence Force (2011–2014)
Vice Chief of the Defence Force (2008–2011)
Chief of Joint Operations (2007–2008)
Chief of Capability Development Group (2003–2007)
Land Commander Australia (2002–2003)
1st Brigade (1999–2000)
1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (1991–1993)
Battles/warsOperation Solace
AwardsCompanion of the Order of Australia
Distinguished Service Cross
Knight of the Order of Saint John

In a 42-year military career, Hurley deployed on Operation Solace in Somalia in 1993, commanded the 1st Brigade (1999–2000), was the inaugural Chief of Capability Development Group (2003–2007) and Chief of Joint Operations (2007–2008) and served as Vice Chief of the Defence Force (2008–2011). His career culminated with his appointment as Chief of the Defence Force on 4 July 2011, in succession to Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston.[1]

Hurley retired from the army in June 2014 and succeeded Marie Bashir as governor of New South Wales in October 2014 on the nomination of Premier Mike Baird. His term concluded in May 2019 and he was subsequently appointed by Queen Elizabeth II as governor-general on the nomination of Prime Minister Scott Morrison. His five-year term commenced in July 2019 and expired in July 2024, with Sam Mostyn succeeding him.

Early life and education

David John Hurley was born on 26 August 1953 in Wollongong, New South Wales, to Norma and James Hurley.[2] His father was an Illawarra steelworker and his mother worked in a grocery store. Hurley grew up in Port Kembla and attended Port Kembla High School, where he completed his Higher School Certificate in 1971. He subsequently graduated from the Royal Military College, Duntroon with a Graduate Diploma in Defence Studies,[3] and from Deakin University with a Bachelor of Arts.[2]

Hurley is married to Linda (née McMartin) and has three children.[4]

Military career

 
General Hurley, 2013

Hurley entered the Royal Military College, Duntroon, as an officer cadet in January 1972.[5] On graduating from Duntroon in December 1975, he was commissioned a lieutenant in the Royal Australian Infantry Corps. His initial posting was to the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (1RAR). Promoted to captain, he was appointed adjutant of the Sydney University Regiment before becoming regimental adjutant of the Royal Australian Regiment. He went on exchange to the 1st Battalion, Irish Guards, a British Army unit, before serving with 5th/7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment.[4]

Promoted to lieutenant colonel, Hurley was posted as the Senior Career Adviser (Armour, Artillery, Engineers and Infantry) in the Office of the Military Secretary in 1990, appointed SO1 (Operations) Headquarters 2nd Division in early 1991, and in November 1991 assumed command of 1RAR, which he led during Operation Solace in Somalia in 1993. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his service during this deployment.[6] In 1994 he became SO1 (Operations), Headquarters 1st Division.[7]

Following promotion to colonel, Hurley was appointed Chief of Staff, Headquarters 1st Division in June 1994, attended the United States Army War College from 1996 to 1997, became Military Secretary to Chief of Army, and was posted to Australian Defence Headquarters as Director of Preparedness and Mobilisation in December 1997.[8] As a brigadier, he assumed command of the 1st Brigade in Darwin in January 1999. During this period he oversaw the brigade's transition to a higher degree of operational readiness and its support to Australian–led operations in East Timor. He went on to be Director General Land Development within Capability Systems in January 2001.[7]

Hurley was promoted to major general in 2001 and served as Head Capability Systems Division from July 2001, and as Land Commander Australia from December 2002.[7] Promoted to lieutenant general, he assumed the new appointment of Chief of Capability Development Group in December 2003, went on to take the newly separated appointment of Chief of Joint Operations in September 2007, and became Vice Chief of the Defence Force in July 2008.[9]

Hurley was promoted to general and succeeded Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston as Chief of the Defence Force (CDF) on 4 July 2011.[1] In January 2012 Hurley completed 40 years service to the Australian Defence Force,[5] and on 20 January while in Paris, he was presented with the insignia for Officer of the Legion of Honour by the French CDF.[10] In February, he was presented with a fifth clasp to the Defence Force Service Medal in recognition of his 40 years of service.[5] Hurley retired from the Australian Army on 30 June 2014, and was succeeded as CDF by Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin.[11]

Lieutenant General David Morrison, the 2016 Australian of the Year, credited Hurley with the phrase "the standard you walk past is the standard you accept" in his anti-misogyny speech, which became "one of the most quoted phrases" of Morrison's speech.[12]

Governor of New South Wales

On 5 June 2014, New South Wales Premier Mike Baird announced that Hurley would replace Dame Marie Bashir as Governor of New South Wales: he was sworn in on 2 October 2014 after Bashir's term as governor had expired.[13] On 17 March 2015, he was invested as a Knight of the Order of St John by the Lord Prior of the Order, Neil Conn, at a ceremony at Government House, Sydney.[14]

Governor-General of Australia

 
Hurley at his swearing-in ceremony as the 27th Governor-General of Australia

On 16 December 2018, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that Queen Elizabeth II had approved the appointment of Hurley as the next Governor-General of Australia, succeeding Sir Peter Cosgrove, commencing on 1 July 2019 marking him as the first representative of the monarch who had been born during the latter's reign.[15][16][17] Margaret Beazley was designated as his replacement as Governor of New South Wales.[18] Hurley was sworn in as the 27th Governor-General at Parliament House, Canberra, on 1 July 2019. His first words were spoken in the language of the local Aboriginal people, the Ngunnawal language.[19]

On 11 September 2019, when attending an Indonesian national day reception held by the Indonesian Embassy at the Australian National Gallery in Canberra, Hurley opted to make his address to the reception in Indonesian.[20]

On 18 March 2020,[21] a human biosecurity emergency was declared in Australia owing to the risks to human health posed by the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia, after the National Security Committee met the previous day. The Biosecurity Act 2015 specifies that the Governor-General may declare such an emergency exists if the Health Minister (at the time Greg Hunt) is satisfied that "a listed human disease is posing a severe and immediate threat, or is causing harm, to human health on a nationally significant scale".[22] The Biosecurity (Human Biosecurity Emergency) (Human Coronavirus with Pandemic Potential) Declaration 2020 was declared by Hurley under Section 475 of the Biosecurity Act 2015.[21]

During his tenure, Hurley promoted a leadership program to Morrison. The program — Australian Future Leaders Foundation Limited — was given $18 million in funding,[23] despite having no office, online website or staff.[24] This funding was cancelled by the Albanese government in September 2022, with Treasurer Jim Chalmers stating that it "didn’t pass muster" or represent "value for money". Chalmers stated that there would not be an investigation into Hurley's role in the program.[25]

Hurley was involved in the Scott Morrison ministerial positions controversy when he secretly appointed Morrison to five ministerial positions between March 2020 and May 2021. Hurley was found to have no discretion to refuse Morrison's advice and an inquiry considered criticism of Hurley's role to be "unwarranted".[26][27]

In June 2022 Hurley apologised for providing a testimonial for a builder who had renovated his private house. This testimonial was used by the builder in their advertising.[28]

Honours and awards

       

       

       

       

  Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) 26 January 2010[29]
Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) 26 January 2004[30]
  Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO) 14 June 2024[31]
  Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) 26 November 1993[6]
  Knight of the Order of St John 17 March 2015[14]
  Australian Active Service Medal with Somalia clasp[32]
  Australian Service Medal [32]
  Defence Force Service Medal with the Federation Star 40–44 years service[5]
  Australian Defence Medal [32]
  Officer of the Legion of Honour (France) 20 January 2012[10]
  Commander of the Legion of Merit (United States) 10 May 2012[33]
  Knight Grand Commander of the Order of Military Service (Malaysia) 2012[34]
  Defence Meritorious Service Star – 1st Class[35] (Indonesia) 19 November 2012[36][37]
  Distinguished Service Order (Singapore) 13 February 2013[38]
  Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Crown of Thailand (Thailand) 5 April 2013[39]
  Gold Decoration of Merit (Netherlands) June 2014[citation needed]
  Grand Collar of the Order of Timor-Leste (Timor-Leste) May 2022[40]
Badges

Honorary degrees

Honorary appointments

Other appointments

Hurley is an Honorary Patron of the ACT Veterans Rugby Club, Patron of Transport Heritage NSW,[46][53] Patron of the Australian World Orchestra,[citation needed] and the Australian Future Leaders Foundation.[54]

As of 2020 he is one of three patrons of the Australian Indigenous Education Foundation.[55]

Coat of arms

 
The coat of arms of David Hurley

A coat of arms was created for David Hurley in his capacity as Governor of New South Wales in 2019.[56][57]

References

  1. ^ a b Massola, James (1 June 2011). "David Hurley is made new defence force chief as part of sweeping renewal of top brass". The Australian. News Limited. Archived from the original on 14 April 2020. Retrieved 9 June 2011.
  2. ^ a b "The Governor-General's biography | His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd)". gg.gov.au. Archived from the original on 10 April 2024. Retrieved 1 July 2019. David Hurley was born in Wollongong, New South Wales on 26 August 1953, the son of Norma and James Hurley. His father was an Illawarra steelworker and his mother worked in a grocery store. He grew up in Port Kembla and attended Port Kembla High School where he completed his Higher School Certificate in 1971. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from the Royal Military College, Duntroon in 1975 and with a Graduate Diploma in Defence Studies from Deakin University in 1991. He is married to Linda with whom he has three children: Caitlin, Marcus and Amelia. The Governor-General and Mrs Hurley have three grandchildren.
  3. ^ "General David Hurley". Lowy Institute. Archived from the original on 3 July 2019. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
  4. ^ a b "General David Hurley, AC, DSC". Biography. Department of Defence, Australian Government. Archived from the original on 27 October 2020. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
  5. ^ a b c d Army News, February 2012, www.defence.gov.au
  6. ^ a b "Distinguished Service Cross" (PDF). Australian War Memorial. Commonwealth of Australia Gazette. Retrieved 19 July 2024.
  7. ^ a b c Defence Keynote Address to SimTecT2006 Archived 21 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine, LTGEN General David Hurley, 29 May 2006, Melbourne Convention Centre, www.siaa.asn.au
  8. ^ List of Witnesses at Public Hearings Archived 7 June 2011 at the Wayback Machine, Parliament House Canberra, 16 April 1998, www.aph.gov.au
  9. ^ Hackett Centenary Lectures Archived 5 May 2011 at the Wayback Machine, King's College London, 12 November 2010, www.kcl.ac.uk
  10. ^ a b "General Hurley in visit to Paris". Archived from the original on 22 March 2012.
  11. ^ "Chief of Defence Force change of command". Defence Media Release. Department of Defence. Archived from the original on 11 August 2014. Retrieved 30 June 2014.
  12. ^ Aubusson, Kate (1 February 2016). "David Morrison defends Australian of the Year honour on Q&A". The Age. Archived from the original on 10 April 2024. Retrieved 2 February 2016.
  13. ^ "General Hurley named as NSW Governor". Sky News. 5 June 2014. Archived from the original on 6 June 2014. Retrieved 5 June 2014.
  14. ^ a b "Governor's Program – 17 March 2015". Governor of New South Wales. 17 March 2015. Archived from the original on 31 March 2015. Retrieved 20 March 2015.
  15. ^ Crowe, David (16 December 2018). "Scott Morrison picks former general David Hurley to be Australia's next governor-general". Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 10 April 2024. Retrieved 15 December 2018.
  16. ^ "Australia's New Governor-General". Prime Minister of Australia. 16 December 2018. Archived from the original on 16 December 2018. Retrieved 16 December 2018.
  17. ^ Karp, Paul; Cox, Lisa (16 December 2018). "David Hurley named next governor general of Australia as Labor blasts timing". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 16 December 2018. Retrieved 16 December 2018.
  18. ^ "Appointment of The Honourable Justice Margaret Beazley QC AO as Governor" (Press release). Government of New South Wales. 13 January 2019. Archived from the original on 19 June 2019. Retrieved 2 March 2019.
  19. ^ Remeikis, Amy (1 July 2019). "Labor says no to stage 3 of Coalition tax plan, for now – as it happened". The Guardian. David Hurley sworn in as the 27th Governor-General. Archived from the original on 10 April 2024. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
  20. ^ Hafiyyan (15 September 2019). "Rayakan 70 Tahun Hubungan Bilateral, Gubernur Jenderal Australia Berpidato Bahasa Indonesia" [Celebrating 70 Years of Bilateral Relations, the Governor General of Australia Speeches in Indonesian]. kabar24.bisnis.com (in Indonesian). Archived from the original on 10 April 2024. Australian Governor General David Hurley delivered a speech in Indonesian during the 70th anniversary of the relationship between the two countries, as well as the commemoration of the 74th Anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia.
  21. ^ a b Maclean, Howard; Elphick, Karen (19 March 2020). "COVID-19 Legislative response—Human Biosecurity Emergency Declaration Explainer". Parliamentary Library | Department of Parliamentary Services. Archived from the original on 10 April 2024. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
  22. ^ McPhee, Sarah (17 March 2020). "Coronavirus Australia: Human biosecurity emergency declared". news.com.au. Archived from the original on 10 April 2024. Retrieved 23 March 2020.
  23. ^ Borys, Stephanie (8 April 2022). "Governor-General personally lobbied Scott Morrison about leadership program given $18m in funding". ABC News. Archived from the original on 6 June 2024. Retrieved 19 August 2022.
  24. ^ Borys, Stephanie (5 April 2022). "Questions raised over millions in federal budget funding for charity with no office or staff". ABC News. Archived from the original on 19 August 2022. Retrieved 19 August 2022.
  25. ^ Baj, Lavender (8 September 2022). "Labor Has Yanked The $18M Funding For That Controversial Charity Nobody Knew Anything About". Junkee. Archived from the original on 6 November 2022. Retrieved 6 November 2022.
  26. ^ "Scott Morrison's secret ministries: What we learned from the solicitor-general's advice". ABC. 23 August 2022. Archived from the original on 9 December 2022. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  27. ^ McElroy, Nicholas (25 November 2022). "Former prime minister Scott Morrison's secret ministries were unnecessary, Virginia Bell's inquiry finds". ABC. Archived from the original on 9 December 2022. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  28. ^ Butler, Josh (29 June 2022). "Governor general David Hurley apologises for video praising builder who renovated his home". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 6 June 2024. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  29. ^ It's an Honour Archived 11 April 2023 at the Wayback Machine – Companion of the Order of Australia – 26 January 2010
    Citation: For eminent service to the Australian Defence Force as Chief of Capability Development Group, Chief of Joint Operations and Vice Chief of the Defence Force.
  30. ^ It's an Honour Archived 11 April 2023 at the Wayback Machine – Officer of the Order of Australia – 26 January 2004
    Citation: For distinguished service, leadership and management to the Australian Defence Force in senior command and staff appointments.
  31. ^ "No. 64423". The London Gazette. Archived from the original on 17 June 2024. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  32. ^ a b c Official High Resolution Photo, July 2011, www.defence.gov.au Archived 27 February 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  33. ^ "General David Hurley AC DSC". University of Wollongong. Archived from the original on 7 March 2018. Retrieved 2 August 2018.
  34. ^ ABC News, General Hurley 'pleased' accusations against General Campbell were withdrawn Archived 11 April 2023 at the Wayback Machine retrieved 16 December 2018
  35. ^ Bintang Yudha Dharma Utama is also translated as "The Grand Meritorious Military Order – 1st Class" – Chief of Defence Force receives Indonesia's highest military award Archived 5 April 2022 at the Wayback Machine, AsiaOne, 2 May 2012
  36. ^ Defence News Archived 28 November 2012 at the Wayback Machine – Defence Meritorious Service Star – 19 November 2012
  37. ^ The ribbon displayed is for Bintang Yudha Dharma Nararya (Defence Meritorious Service Star – 3rd Class). The ribbon for the Bintang Yudha Dharma Utama (Defence Meritorious Service Star – 1st Class) is the same, but with the addition of two central narrow red stripes. Bintang Yudha Dharma Archived 24 September 2015 at the Wayback Machine, Sekretariat Negara Republik Indonesia Official Website, www.setneg.go.id
  38. ^ Top military award conferred on Australian Chief of the Defence Force – Top military award conferred on Australian Chief of the Defence Force Archived 1 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine, Australian High Commission, Singapore, 13 February 2013
  39. ^ ประกาศสํานกนายกร ั ัฐมนตร เรื่อง พระราชทานเครื่องราชอิสริยาภรณ์ให้แก่นายทหารต่างประเทศ Archived 7 May 2023 at the Wayback Machine [Announcement from the Prime Minister] (in Thai)
  40. ^ "Canberra, Australian Capital Territory; Dili, The Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste". gg.gov.au. 19 May 2022. Archived from the original on 10 April 2024. Retrieved 10 April 2024. Afterwards, the Governor-General and Mrs Hurley, as guests of His Excellency Dr Francisco Guterres Lu-Olo, President, Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, attended an investiture ceremony and official dinner, at which the Governor-General was invested with the insignia of the Grand Collar of the Order of Timor-Leste.
  41. ^ "Honorary Doctorate Recipients – General David Hurley AC DSC". University of Wollongong. Archived from the original on 7 March 2018. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  42. ^ Offner, Steve (11 December 2015). "Houston, Hurley receive honorary doctorates". University of New South Wales. UNSW Newsroom. Archived from the original on 1 April 2022. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  43. ^ "AUTUMN GRADUATION SEASON COMMENCES WITH HONORARY DOCTORATE AWARDED". Newsroom. Macquarie University. 18 April 2017. Archived from the original on 16 October 2021. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  44. ^ "Vice-regal Program – Tuesday, 30 January 2018". Governor of New South Wales. Office of the Governor. 30 January 2018. Archived from the original on 7 March 2018. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  45. ^ a b "Patronage Listing". Governor of New South Wales. Office of the Governor. Archived from the original on 30 March 2019. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  46. ^ a b "The Governor-General has been sworn-in as the Chief Scout of Australia". Governor-General of Australia. Archived from the original on 22 April 2021. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
  47. ^ "Vice-regal Program – Thursday, 2 March 2017". Governor of New South Wales. Office of the Governor. 2 March 2017. Archived from the original on 7 March 2018. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  48. ^ "Understanding the Most Venerable Order of St John" (PDF). Governor of New South Wales. 12 December 2014. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 March 2018. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
  49. ^ "Understanding the Most Venerable Order of St John" (PDF). St John South Australia. 12 December 2014. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 March 2018. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
  50. ^ "Review the Attestation Parade for Class 323". Saint John South Australia. 2012. Archived from the original on 24 August 2018. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
  51. ^ "25 NEW ATSE FELLOWS INCLUDE SEVEN WOMEN". ATSE. Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering. 26 October 2016. Archived from the original on 24 March 2018. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  52. ^ "Governor-General the Hon David Hurley named patron of Australian Rugby". Rugby Australia. 23 August 2019. Archived from the original on 27 October 2021. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
  53. ^ "ACT Veterans Rugby". Archived from the original on 23 June 2014.
  54. ^ Borys, Stephanie (7 April 2022). "Scott Morrison supported $18m charity before it was formally registered, director says". Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 18 August 2022. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
  55. ^ "Patrons - About". Australian Indigenous Education Foundation. 1 July 2019. Archived from the original on 1 April 2022. Retrieved 4 November 2020.
  56. ^ "Discover More". www.governor.nsw.gov.au. Governor of New South Wales. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  57. ^ "Gnomes, tea cosies and George — this GG's a Bunnies tragic". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
Military offices
Preceded by
Major General Peter Abigail
Land Commander Australia
2002–2003
Succeeded by
Major General Ken Gillespie
New title Chief Capability Development Group
2003–2007
Succeeded by
Vice Admiral Matt Tripovich
New title
Separated from the roles of VCDF
Chief of Joint Operations
2007–2008
Succeeded by
Lieutenant General Mark Evans
Preceded by
Lieutenant General Ken Gillespie
Vice Chief of the Defence Force
2008–2011
Succeeded by
Air Marshal Mark Binskin
Preceded by
Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston
Chief of the Defence Force
2011–2014
Succeeded by
Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin
Government offices
Preceded by Governor of New South Wales
2014–2019
Succeeded by
Preceded by Governor-General of Australia
2019–2024
Succeeded by