The business community today pays tribute to David Irvine AO, a thoughtful and considered diplomat and a public servant in the truest possible sense.

Australia is poorer today for this monumental loss. David was one of our most sophisticated foreign intelligence and security experts.

In some of our nation’s most difficult moments David led with distinction, courage and conviction to keep Australians safe.

As a director general of ASIO, ASIS, a former ambassador to China and more recently as chair of the Foreign Investment Review Board and the Cyber Security Cooperative Research Centre, David never lost his commitment to public service.

Even through illness David continued to serve our country and contribute to our national wellbeing.

He was a person of great humility and great intellect, and he was my friend.

He will be sorely missed by all who knew and worked with him.