A published author, Mary Quilty has extensive knowledge of the public service, academia and NGO sectors. She has published books on both current affairs and history in Asia and Australia. She has taught at the Australian National University and the University of Sydney and worked as a professional editor for Oxford University press.
She has also worked as an adviser to the Chief Scientist of Australia and in several Commonwealth departments. She has extensive experience in making complex ideas accessible and complex arguments persuasive. She has delivered reports, speeches and policy documents to both public agencies and non-government organisations and understands the requirements of Commonwealth agencies.