Marc Ablong PSM
Marc Ablong was appointed Deputy Secretary Policy at the Department of Home Affairs on 11 October 2018.
Marc joined the Department of Defence in 1993 after an early career start in the finance and banking industry. During his time with Defence, Marc has held positions in capital equipment and acquisition policy, international policy, military strategy, maritime capability development, Air Force long-range planning, national support, information strategy and futures, strategic reform, ministerial and executive coordination and communications, and strategic policy.
Marc was appointed to the Senior Executive Service in 2004, as Assistant Secretary Strategic Policy, responsible for the provision of policy advice to guide strategy and planning within the Defence Organisation. He has also served as Assistant Secretary Strategic Planning, and Assistant Secretary Strategic Reform and Governance within the Office of the Secretary and CDF. During the development of the 2009 Defence White Paper, Marc was Chief of Staff of the White Paper Team.
From September 2010 to May 2013, Marc was Assistant Secretary Strategic Issues Management, responsible for the management of current and sensitive issues within Defence. From May 2013 to August 2013, he acted as First Assistant Secretary Ministerial and Executive Coordination and Communication and was formally promoted to the role on 22 August 2013. In February 2014, Marc was appointed First Assistant Secretary White Paper, to lead the development of the Defence White Paper, Integrated Investment Program and Defence Industry Policy Statement, which were released by the Government on 25 February 2016. On 1 February 2016, Marc was appointed as the inaugural First Assistant Secretary Contestability. On 11 July 2016, Marc was transferred to the position of First Assistant Secretary Naval Shipbuilding Taskforce. On 17 July 2017, Marc was also appointed to the position of First Assistant Secretary Defence Industry Policy in addition to his role as leading the Naval Shipbuilding Taskforce. From October 2017 to April 2018, Marc acted as the Deputy Secretary Strategic Policy Intelligence. In May 2018, Marc commenced a 12-month secondment in the Department of Home Affairs as the First Assistant Secretary Strategy and Capability.
Marc has attended the Joint Services Staff College, the Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies and completed the Advanced Management Program 190 at the Harvard Business School. Marc was awarded the Public Service Medal in the Australia Day Honours 2018.
