Pete joined SSGM in June 2014 to commence a part-time PhD on Chinese interests in Melanesia. The project gives focus to case studies of Chinese interaction with PNG, Fiji and Timor Leste through commercial, diplomatic and security interests. He conducted research in China and PNG in 2014, and was involved with each case study over the past two years through his job. He is conducting a year of full time research in 2017 under the Chief of Army’s scholarship.

Over a thirty year career as an Army Officer Pete has served as an infantry commander on operations in Somalia, East Timor and Afghanistan. He has had roles in training, capability development and strategy, including service in Parliament House and the Pentagon. In the last two years he was the Director for International Engagement for the Australian Army, in which he worked with the PNGDF, RFMF, F-FDTL, the PLA, and the armed services of twenty six other nations.