Table of Biography
David Irvine is an Australian Diplomat. David Irvine was the 12th ASIO Director-General of Security and the 10th Director-General of the Australian Secret Intelligence Service. He also served as an Australian Ambassador to China.
Early Life
David Irvine was born on 10 January 1947 and he is currently 76 years old. His full name is David Taylor Irvine. Likewise, he hails from Perth, Western Australia. Talking about his educational journey, Irvine studied at Hale School and The University of Western Australia. He then graduated with honors in Elizabethan history and a Bachelor of Arts degree. However, Irvine has not shared much information regarding his parents, siblings, and other family details.
Caption: David Irvine was photographed at his office. Source: News.com.au
Career, Professional Life
Professionally, David Irvine is an Australian diplomat. He was the Director-General of Security, and the head of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) from March 2009 to September 2014. Before his appointment to ASIO, Irvine was Director-General of the Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS) from 2003 to 2009.
He is the 12th ASIO Director-General of Security. When he served in this position, three different Prime Ministers governed the country. They were Kevin Rudd, Julia Gillard, and Tony Abbott. Before him, Paul O’Sullivan chaired this position and after he, Duncan Lewis served in this government position.
Moreover, Irvine is the 10th Director-General of the Australian Secret Intelligence Service. During this position, John Howard was the Prime Minister of Australia. Before that, Allan Taylor chaired this position and Nick Warner followed Irvine in serving this position.
David Irvine – Net Worth 2023
Moving on, Irvine has a net worth estimation of approximately $1-5 Million dollars.
More Details
He has also received the Order of Australia (AO) for his distinguished service of a high degree to Australia or humanity at large. In the year 2017, he was unexpectedly appointed Chair of the Foreign Investment Review Board. It was unexpected because he had no professional investment or business experience.
Caption: David Irvine photographed during a panel discussion. Source: Vocus
Before his career as a diplomat, Irvine worked as a journalist in Perth. He later joined the Department of External Affairs (the Australian Foreign Service) in the year 1970. Following this, he served as Australian High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea from 1996 to 1999. After that, he worked as an Australian Ambassador to China from 2000 to 2003.
In addition, Irvine is also a writer. He has penned two books about Indonesia: a 1990 English translation of Bisma: Warrior Priest of the Mahabharata. This book was originally written by Satyagraha Hurip. he also wrote Leather Gods & Wooden Heroes: Java’s Classical Wayang. It is a 1996 book about Indonesian Wayang shadow puppets.
Additional Details
After joining the Australian Foreign League service in the year 1970, Irvine was posted to Rome, Jakarta, Beijing, and Port Moresby. While working as an Ambassador in Beijing, he developed a friendship with Kevin Rudd. Kevin then made Irvine the Godfather of his son, Nick.
During his post to Papua New Guinea, the largest political scandal defined as the “Sandline mercenary affair” broke out. He also secured a long-term $25 billion liquified gas project contract with Dr. Chau Chak. This was during the peak of his career. Dr. Chau Chak became mysteriously wealthy after joining the Communist Party in China.
On 1 March 2003, Irvine became the director-general of the Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS). Then in 2004, Irvine ordered a former intelligence officer to plant listening devices in Dili’s cabinet office. This led to a 40 billion dollar oil and gas treaty at the disadvantage of East Timorese.
Later in March 2009, John Howard appointed Irvine as the Director-General of Security. Then on 2 December 2013, he issued a search warrant to the Timor-Lestes Attorneys’ office. This was after Timor-Leste initiated proceedings and he was able to seize documents on the case.
Caption: David Irvine was photographed with other government officers. Source: Dynamic Business
Relationship Status
David Irvine is a very private person. He has not shared any information regarding his relationships and affairs. The diplomat might be a family person with a beautiful wife, children, and grandchildren at his age. But no details are available regarding this matter at present. He has also not talked about his past romantic affairs either.
Body Measurements
Unfortunately, there is no verified information regarding Irvine’s body measurements like his height, weight, chest-waist-hip measures, biceps, dress size, shoe size, etc. Moreover, he has dark brown hair that is turning gray with his ascending age and he has hazel eyes.
David Irvine – Social Media
Furthermore, it seems like Irvine doesn’t have personal accounts on any social media platform including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, etc.