The Inspector-General of Defence is an independent statutory officer appointed by the Governor-General on a recommendation from the House of Representatives. The Inspector-General is appointed for a term of up to five years and may be reappointed once for a further term of up to three years.
Inspector-General Brendan Horsley
Brendan Horsley was appointed as the first Inspector-General of Defence on 18 December 2024, with effect from 26 January 2025. He has been appointed for a short term until 30 November 2025. Mr Horsley will be responsible for the establishment of the office of the Inspector-General of Defence and setting an initial work programme. Mr Horsley is currently also the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security (a role he has held since June 2020). He was previously the Deputy Solicitor-General (Criminal) at Crown Law from 2014 to 2020 and was the first national Director of the Public Defence Service from 2011 to 2014.
Deputy Inspector-General
The IGD is supported by a Deputy Inspector-General. It is anticipated the Deputy IGD will be appointed in the second half of 2025.
The Deputy IGD is appointed by the Governor-General on a recommendation from the House of Representatives for a period of three years. The Deputy can be re-appointed for on-going terms of up to three years.
