As our most senior honorary affiliation, WA DEFENCE REVIEW is privileged to have the support of our Distinguished Fellows, a role that is reserved for high-profile leaders, such as former political, Defence, business and community decision-makers, noted for actively championing Australian interests.
Senator for Western Australia (2001-17); Australian Defence Minister (2013-14).
Professor Emerita and Director, Centre for Muslim States and Societies, University of Western Australia.
West Australian of the Year (2019); former Commissioner for the Department of Corrective Services (2013–2017).
Member for Willagee (2017-25); WA Minister for Asian Engagement, Fisheries, Housing, Mines and Petroleum, Veterans Issues and Youth.
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Hon David Johnston
Distinguished Fellow
Born and educated in Perth, Western Australia, David attended Wesley College from 1967-73 and then graduated from the University of Western Australia in 1981 with law degrees B.Juris and LL.B.
David was elected to the Australian Parliament as a Senator for Western Australia in 2001 for the Liberal Party and represented the interests of the state for 15 years.
Prior to that, he was a barrister and solicitor in WA practicing in the areas of mining and crime and lived and worked on the Eastern Goldfields of Western Australia for 12 years before returning to Perth to continue in the law as a barrister and in-house counsel, providing advice and representation mainly pertaining to mining matters in WA.
In Parliament, David was among other appointments, chair of the Senate Foreign Affairs Defence and Trade Committee, was appointed by Prime Minister Howard as Minister for Justice and Customs in 2007, was Opposition spokesperson as Shadow Minister on Minerals Energy and Tourism, Defence from 2009-13, and then as the Minister for Defence 2013-14.
David has a strong commitment to Australian defence industry and the current Australian Government’s budgetary support of the Defence portfolio, particularly focusing upon Australian naval ship and submarine building programs.
David has in various capacities previously sat on the boards of SAAB Technologies Australia, International SOS, the Centre for Defence Industry Capability, the Australian Strategic Policy Institute and Pelican Clean Energy.
He was a Governor of the Sail Training Ship Leeuwin and was for five years the Commonwealth’s Advocate for Australian Defence Industry Exports.
At present, David is an adjunct Professor and the Chair of the UWA Defence and Security Institute.
In addition, he is the chair of CleanSubSea Limited, a technology start-up specialising in environmentally secure in-water hull cleaning of large commercial vessels and warships for the Royal Australian Navy.
He also consults to the listed geophysics specialist company DUG Technologies on the application of inground waveform analysis to the maritime and space environments.
David’s family is currently also engaged in gold mining and has a small operation south-east of Meekatharra, in the Murchison goldfields of WA.
In April 2025, David joined WA DEFENCE REVIEW as a Distinguished Fellow.
Emerita Professor Samina Yasmeen AM
Distinguished Fellow
Emerita Professor Samina Yasmeen AM is Director of the University of Western Australia’s Centre for Muslim States and Societies and is a specialist in political and strategic developments in South Asia (particularly Pakistan), the role of Islam in world politics and citizenship among immigrant women.
Professor Yasmeen began lecturing at UWA in 1988 and became Head of Department of International Relations, Asian Studies and Politics in the School of Social Sciences in 2022. She is also a Vice-President of the Australian Institute for International Affairs (WA Branch) and recently completed two terms as a Community Member of the Council for Order of Australia (2022–2026).
Her many honours include WA Citizen of the Year (2011) and her induction into the WA Women’s Hall of Fame (2012). She also received the Award of the Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in June 2014.
Born into a literary family in Pakistan, Professor Yasmeen came to Australia in 1977 to study political science at ANU in Canberra. She has also written and edited several works, including Muslims in Australia: the Dynamics of Inclusion and Exclusion (2010, Melbourne University Press) and conducted a large-scale study on the settlement needs of Muslims living in Perth.
As a nationally respected public intellectual, she has advanced the understanding of Islam, human rights, migration, social cohesion and inclusion in Australian society, serving as a role model for a new generation of Australian Muslim women.
She is a regular commentator on issues relating to Islam and continues to serve on Ministerial Councils for international security, immigration, and multiculturalism for over, shaping national policy. She also actively participates in interfaith activities.
In September 2026, Professor Yasmeen joined WA DEFENCE REVIEW as a Distinguished Fellow.
James McMahon DSC AM (civilian) DSM CitWA
Distinguished Fellow
James McMahon DSC DSM has enjoyed a long and distinguished career defined by leadership, courage, integrity and an ability to bring about organisational change.
Starting his working life as an infantry soldier in the Australian Defence Force, he rose to become an Officer and the Commander of the Special Air Service Regiment (SASR).
During his 34 years of service with the armed forces, he was awarded the two highest distinguished service medals in the Australian Honours System: the Distinguished Service Cross for command and leadership in action in Afghanistan and Iraq, and the Distinguished Service Medal for leadership in action in Timor- Leste. He also served in Europe, the Americas, the Pacific and Southeast Asia. Post-military, James has continued to support current serving personnel, returned service personnel and defence families in need.
In 2013, James was appointed Commissioner for the Department of Corrective Services and oversaw an agenda of reform, adopting a hands-on approach – meeting regularly with prisoners and sitting with them in their cells to gain an understanding of the issues they faced. In this role, James focused heavily on rehabilitation, overseeing the establishment of the Youth Justice Board and the Reconciliation Action Plan for Corrective Services.
At this time, he also became involved in community organisations including as an Ambassador for the Fathering Project, where he continues to help raise awareness of the profound impact a father or father figure can have on a young person.
In recognition of this commitment to the community, James was named Western Australian of the Year 2019 (CitWA) and in 2022 was appointed Member of the Order of Australia (AM, community award), for his significant service to veterans, their families and the community.
After earning Masters qualifications in Management and Business Administration, James took on demanding positions in financial investment companies, as Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the corporate advisory firm, Azure Capital and as COO of Australian Capital Equity. He is currently the Managing Director of consulting company, JFM Global, which he founded in 2023.
His passion for the community and veterans is also clear from his positions on numerous boards, including the Australian War Memorial, the West Coast Eagles Football Club and St John of God Health Care. He is also a board advisor to RSL WA and Legacy WA, the Chairman of the SAS Resources Fund and an Ambassador for Disaster Relief Australia.
In September 2026, James joined WA DEFENCE REVIEW as a Distinguished Fellow.
Hon Peter Tinley AM
Distinguished Fellow
Peter Tinley AM is a strategic advisor, veteran, and former Minister with a distinguished career spanning defence, politics, and business leadership.
A former officer in the Australian Army’s Special Air Service Regiment (SASR), Peter served for 25 years, including operational deployments and training commands, earning the Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for exemplary service.
Following his military career, Peter was elected to the Western Australian Parliament in 2006, representing the seat of Willagee for 15 years.
As Minister for Housing, Veterans Issues, and Asian Engagement, he championed veteran support initiatives and strengthened WA’s role in regional defence partnerships.
Peter now leads Conetic Advisory, a consultancy focused on late-stage commercialisation in climate adaptation and defence innovation.
He also founded Tactica Advisory, guiding companies through the energy transition and decarbonisation agenda.
With deep experience across defence, industry, and government, Peter continues to advocate for sovereign capability, veteran wellbeing, and innovation in national security.
In April 2025, Peter joined WA DEFENCE REVIEW as a Distinguished Fellow.