4 September 2025
I am deeply saddened by the passing of David Sadleir AO.
David served as the ninth Director-General of Security from 1992 to 1996.
Before his appointment to ASIO, David was Australian Ambassador to China from 1988 to 1991 and also served as the Deputy Director-General of the Office of National Assessments from 1977 to 1981.
During his time as Director-General, David focused on modernising ASIO and improving management practices, within a significant budget cut to the organisation following the end of the Cold War.
David also played a major role in bringing ASIO out of the shadows as the first ASIO Director-General to appear before a public parliamentary hearing at Senate Estimates.
At the time he said his decision to appear was to improve public understanding and trust of ASIO: “There is a great deal of legend and myth about ASIO. To maintain broad community support for it and to maintain the support of the parliament for it, it was judged important – not only by me but by people more important than I – that it should be a little more transparent than it has been in the past.”
David’s appearance at Estimates became part of ASIO legend for other reasons, after then Senator Nick Bolkus handed him a brown paper bag which contained Groucho Marx glasses complete with false nose and moustache. This artefact is now on display in the Ben Chifley Building.
David’s time at ASIO was part of a long and distinguished diplomatic and intelligence career, and he was made an Officer of the Order of Australia in 1991 for services to international relations.
Our thoughts are with David’s family at this difficult time and I extend our heartfelt condolences.
Mike Burgess AM
Director-General of Security