Former WA MP and SAS veteran Peter Tinley in line to join Australian War Memorial councilKatina CurtisThe West AustralianThu, 16 October 2025 7:30PMCommentsCommentsEmail Katina Curtis
Former WA Labor politician Peter Tinley is in line to join the Australian War Memorial council after winning a three-way contest to become the new RSL national president.
The national institution’s council currently has four vacancies and a fifth spot could open up at the end of November when its current chair Kim Beazley’s term expires.
Veterans Affairs Minister Matt Keogh makes appointments to the council.
The RSL’s state branches elected Mr Tinley as the veteran group’s new national president on Thursday afternoon.
He takes over from Greg Melick, who also served on the War Memorial’s governing body, having been a member of the AWM council when he was elected to lead the RSL in 2019.
While there is no rule that the RSL must have representation on the War Memorial council, there is a long history of close ties between the two organisations.
It is likely Mr Tinley will fill one of the vacancies, a source with knowledge of the process confirmed.
Mr Tinley said he wanted to build a stronger reputation for the RSL as a national advocate for the veteran community.
“The RSL is the most enduring and trusted institution in the veterans’ space. Our responsibility is not just to honour the fallen, but to fiercely advocate for and support the living,” he said.
Mr Tinley was a WA State MP for 16 years, including as a minister under Mark McGowan, but retired at the March election.
Before entering politics, he served in the Australian Defence Force for 25 years, including 17 years with the SAS and as the deputy commander of Special Forces task groups in Afghanistan and Iraq.
He is close to Mr Beazley and used his first speech in Parliament to thank the former Federal Labor leader for his personal commitment, advice and “long chats in the white wicker chairs of his front veranda”.
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