National President Election

The Returned & Services League of Australia is a federated body, with a National President who serves as the public face and national advocate for the League and its members. This is a critical role in ensuring the voice of the veteran community is heard at a national level. The National President must be a Service or Life Member of the League. Each State Branch has the opportunity to nominate a candidate for National President. The election will take place on the day of the RSL Australia Annual General Meeting (AGM) - Thursday, 16 October, prior to the meeting. A representative from each State Branch will have the opportunity to vote. The newly elected National President will commence their three-year term immediately at the conclusion of the AGM.

The Role of the National President

The RSL National President is a National Director and the Board Chair of the RSL Australia National Board. The National President is responsible for representing the League and advocating for the welfare of Australian veterans and their families. This includes:

  • Leading national policy and advocacy efforts to influence the Federal Government on matters of veteran support, legislation, and entitlements.

  • Representing the RSL in the media, at national commemoration events, and with key stakeholders, including other ex-service organisations.

  • Building a strong and unified RSL across all State and Territory Branches to ensure we can collectively serve our members.

  • Foster a constructive relationship between the RSL and other ESOs.

  • Sit on relevant representative bodies.

The Election Process

The election for the RSL Australia National President is conducted in accordance with the RSL Australia Constitution. The process ensures that the national leadership is chosen democratically by the State Branches of the League.

  • Nominations are called for from each State Branch, with each branch being entitled to submit one candidate. This year, three exceptional candidates have been nominated by their State Branches.

  • The election takes place on the day of the RSL Australia Annual General Meeting (AGM), before the meeting begins.

  • A representative from each State Branch will have the opportunity to vote. The election is conducted by a secret ballot. If there are more than two candidates, a run-off voting system is used until one nominee receives a majority of the votes.

  • At the conclusion of the AGM, the current National President’s term comes to an end. The newly elected National President is announced, and their term of office begins.

Nominees for national president

As we approach this significant moment for the RSL, we are pleased to introduce the nominees who have been put forward by their respective State Branches. Each candidate brings a wealth of experience, a deep commitment to the RSL, and a unique vision for the future of our organisation.

Kerry Gallagher AM

Kerry Gallagher AM is currently President of the RSL Queensland South Eastern District and has extensive national leadership experience in professional and veteran organisations. An RSL member for almost 30 years, he is a former National Secretary General of the Australian Medical Association (AMA) and is experienced in influencing policy, uniting diverse voices and achieving results using long connections with Federal politicians of all parties.

He held high-level Military Command appointments, serving in Vietnam and in multiple senior roles from 1968 to 1993, and was made a Member of the Order of Australia for leadership in the development of the Australian Defence Forces’ parachute capability. Kerry Gallagher is the National President of the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam Association and has a long commitment to the RSL and a deep commitment to veterans’ welfare.  

A graduate of the Royal Military College, Duntroon and the United States Army Command and General Staff College, he was Director, RSL Queensland Board (2021-2023), Member, State Council of District Presidents, RSL Queensland (2023-current), Director, Mates4Mates (2023-current), Chairman of ANZAC Day Parade Brisbane, National President Australian Army Training Team Vietnam Association (2015-current), Executive Vice President Australian Society of Ophthalmologists (2025-current), President Royal United Services Institute (Queensland) and Vice President of Royal United Services Institute Australia. 

Ray James OAM JP GAICD

Ray James OAM brings more than four decades of distinguished service in operational, leadership, and governance roles across the Australian Defence Force, law enforcement, and the veteran community.  

A veteran of the Royal Australian Navy and former NSW Police Officer, his career has spanned warlike and non-warlike operational environments. Since transitioning from uniformed service, he has continued to serve the veteran community through various leadership roles in prominent ex-service organisations, including as a former Director of RSL Australia and State President and Director of RSL NSW. He received an RSL Meritorious Service Medal and was awarded Life Membership of RSL.  He has held senior roles within the Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia (NSW Branch) and the Naval Association.  

Ray James was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 2020 and holds numerous operational and service honours, including the Australian Active Service Medal 1945–75 with Vietnam clasp. 

He is a Justice of the Peace and a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and continues his service to the veteran community as a Director of RSL Custodian Pty Ltd, a member of several RSL NSW committees, Director of the Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway at Concord, and Trustee of the ANZAC War Memorial in Hyde Park, Sydney

Peter Tinley AM

Peter Tinley AM brings a unique combination of military service, business leadership, and political experience to the RSL. Peter served 25 years in the Australian Defence Force, including 17 years with the Special Air Service (SAS) Regiment. Rising from enlisted soldier to Major, he commanded at every level of the SAS and was the first enlisted SAS member to attend the Royal Military College, Duntroon, and then to undertake a second SAS selection course and return to the Regiment as an Officer. 

His military service spanned Lebanon, Syria, Bougainville, Afghanistan, Iraq, and he served as the Deputy Commander of Special Forces Task Groups following the 9-11 Terror Attacks. In 2003, Peter Tinley was awarded the Order of Australia for strategic planning and leadership on warlike operations.  

Following his military service, Peter Tinley served in the Western Australian Parliament for 15 years, where he held numerous complex portfolios, including serving as Minister for Veterans Issues, Housing, Mines and Petroleum, Asian Engagement, and Youth. He has been a member of the RSL for more than 15 years, and he was a strong advocate for the organisation throughout his Parliamentary career. He is currently Chair of the Veterans’ Transition Centre in Western Australia, a 70-bed facility supporting veterans at risk of homelessness.