The Hon Dan Tehan MP

The Hon Dan Tehan MP is the Member for Wannon in Victoria. He was sworn in as the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Minister for Defence Personnel, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Cyber Security and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Centenary of Anzac on 27 July, 2016.

He previously served as Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Minister for Defence Materiel and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Centenary of Anzac from 18 February, 2016.

As Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel, Mr Tehan launched the Prime Minister’s Veterans’ Employment Program to improve the transition process for Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel leaving the military and finding successful and rewarding post-service employment. He has also made improving the mental health of ADF and veterans a priority with the implementation of a range of initiatives, including the provision of free mental health treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety and drug and alcohol misuse conditions to anyone who has served in the ADF for one full day. Mr Tehan has also represented the Australian Government at significant military commemorations, including Anzac Day 2016 and the 100th anniversaries of the battles of Pozières and Fromelles in France, 2016.

As Australia’s first minister with responsibility for cyber security, Mr Tehan has been tasked with delivering the $230 million Australia’s Cyber Security Strategy, including the establishment of the Joint Cyber Security Centres and the Cyber Security Growth Network. He has represented the Government on cyber security at the Australian-Indonesia Ministerial Council on Law and Security.

Mr Tehan was elected to Federal Parliament in 2010 and has held positions as the Chair of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security; Chair of the Victorian Consultative Panel for the Black Spot Programme; Chair of the Coalition Policy Committee on Economics and Finance; Co-Chair of the Parliamentarians Supporting Cancer Causes; Co-Chair of the Parliamentary Friends of Youth Mental Health, and; Chair of the Coalition Friends of Tourism.

Mr Tehan has also held positions on the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Regional Australia, the Standing Committee on Agriculture, Resources, Fisheries and Forestry and the Joint Human Rights Committee.

Prior to entering Parliament, Mr Tehan worked at senior levels of the Australian Government, including as a Senior Adviser to the Deputy Prime Minister and Chief of Staff to the Minister for Small Business and Tourism. He worked as the Director of Trade Policy and International Affairs at the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Deputy State Director for the Victorian Liberal Party and in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade where he held various roles, including as a diplomat at the Australian Embassy in Mexico. Mr Tehan worked in agriculture in Australia and overseas and has Masters Degrees in International Relations and Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Mr Tehan is married and lives in Hamilton. He is a passionate supporter of the Richmond Football Club and enjoys spending time outdoors with his family.