Vince Connelly

Connelly began his career in the Australian Army where he met his wife, Peta, who served as a Major in Intelligence with the Special Air Service Regiment (SASR). Connelly served as a Company Grade Officer in several peacekeeping operations to the Solomon Islands as a Platoon Commander (Lieutenant – LT, 02) and East Timor as a Company Second-in-Command (Captain, CAPT – 03).[2] Connelly took part in several military exchange programs including with the United States Marine Corps, the Singapore Armed Forces and the Malaysian Armed Forces.

Connelly completed the physical selection course for the SASR in 2010 in the same intake as Member for Canning, Andrew Hastie, but ultimately was not chosen to proceed to further postings. Both Connelly and Hastie were featured in the SBS Documentary SAS – The Search For Warriors as "Candidate 8" and "Candidate 10" respectively.[3]

Each of the candidates for this grueling selection process are given a 'withdrawal at own request' form to exit the program at a time of their choosing, and the form is carried in their pocket during training. Connelly proudly displays his unsigned form in a frame hanging in his office in the Australian Parliament, signifying his unwillingness to quit the course and see it through.

Connelly received a Bachelor of Arts, English literature from the Australian Defence Force Academy and completed officer training, graduating with a Diploma of Personnel Management (General Service Officer) from the Royal Military College, Duntroon, and attained the additional qualification of marksman.

After leaving the Army, Connelly began working as an electorate officer for Julie Bishop, as well as in and with local government during time at the City of Swan and as a risk consultant for CPR Group. Connelly then moved to the resources industry, including with organisations such as Kepner-Tregoe, Chamber of Minerals and Energy, Dynamiq and Deloitte Australia. Before being elected to Parliament, Connelly worked in risk and crisis management for Woodside Petroleum.[4]

During this period Connelly served in the Australian Army Reserves, attached for a time to the SASR at Campbell Barracks in Swanbourne, Western Australia, with a final Field Grade Officer rank of Major – MAJ, 04.

Connelly also joined several local organisations and charities, including the Veterans Advisory Council WA, the Scarborough Surf Life Saving Club, Legacy WA, and as a board member for Veterans Recovery & Restoration Centre. Connelly also served previously as President of the Stirling Progress Association.

Upon being sworn into Parliament in July 2019, Connelly was immediately appointed as a member of several parliamentary committees, including Defence, Foreign Affairs and Trade (including both the Defence and Foreign Affairs sub-committees), Infrastructure, Transport and Cities, National Broadband Network (NBN) and Appropriations.

Connelly was also appointed to several internal party policy committees on Defence and Veterans Affairs, Foreign Affairs, Trade and Investment, and Treasury, Finance and Public Administration.