Steve Ayling AM

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Steve Ayling is a practitioner in defence and security matters. He has recently appeared on the Seven Sunrise and Channel 10 News television programs, and has been interviewed on the Melbourne 3AW Neil Mitchell program to provide expert comment on the war in Iraq. He has previously been quoted by the Australian Financial Review (November/ December 2002) and the Sydney Morning Herald (October 2002) to provide comment on the threat of terrorism in Australia.

He is currently the Director of Security Coalitions Pty Ltd, a company that he created in April 2002. He promotes innovative approaches to the new challenges and perceptions for security in Australia and overseas. The unpredictable situation has severe consequences for those who are unprepared but also presents new opportunities for those who can shape their environment through effective leadership and governance, reasoned judgements, strategic insights, deliberate planning and viable partnerships.

Security Coalitions Pty Ltd has gained specific experience in the business sector over a short period of time, with practical knowledge within the property development, retail, transportation infrastructure and education sectors. Unlike most security providers, Steve Ayling is able to address individual requirements from a strategic perspective within the wider context of government national security initiatives. He can apply the proven disciplines of military campaign planning and operations against determined adversaries.

Previous Experience
Steve Ayling retired with the rank of Brigadier from the Australian Defence Force after 30 years of service in April 2002. His last appointment was as Special Adviser Security for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) held in Australia in March 2002. CHOGM was postponed from October 2001as a result of the 11th September 2001 terrorist attacks, and required new concepts for security.

His military experience included UN peacekeeping operations in Cambodia (1992), negotiations to build the INTERFET coalition for operations in East Timor (1999), and conduct of the Australian Government's public consultation program prior to the release of the Defence White Paper (2000). He has travelled widely and has lived overseas (UK - 1978/79, Pakistan - 1986, Cambodia - 1992, USA - 1997/98).

Steve Ayling was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 1993 in recognition of his military achievements and the command of over 550 Australian and New Zealand military personnel in Cambodia.

Academic Achievements

• Graduate Diploma in Strategic Studies, Joint Services Staff College, Canberra, 1993.

• Graduate Diploma in Management Studies, Australian Army Command and Staff College, 1991.

• Bachelor of Science (Honours, War Studies), University of Baluchistan, Pakistan, 1986.

• Bachelor of Science (Honours Physics, Class One), University of New South Wales, 1975.

Qualifications

• Graduate United States Army War College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania USA, 1998.

• Graduate ADF Joint Services Staff College, Canberra, Australia, 1993.

• Graduate Pakistan Army Command and Staff College, Quetta, Pakistan, 1986.

• Graduate British Army Telecommunications Management Course, Blandford, UK, 1978

• Graduate Royal Military College Duntroon, Canberra, Australia, 1975.