April 13, 2026 | 08:48 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Australia's government on Monday announced a reshuffle in its military leadership, including appointing the first woman to the chief of army position in the country's history.
Lieutenant General Susan Coyle will become the first woman to lead any of the Australian military's three branches.
Coyle is currently the chief of joint capabilities and is due to take over the role in July this year, replacing Lieutenant General Simon Stuart.
Her appointment comes as Australia's military seeks to boost the number of female officers in its ranks and amid allegations of systemic sexual harassment and discrimination.
Australia Aims for 25% Women in Its Military
"From July, we will have the first ever female chief of army in the Australian Army's 125-year history," Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in a statement.
Defense Minister Richard Marles said that the 55-year-old, who first signed up as a reservist in 1987, will become the first woman to lead any service branch of the military.
"As Susan said to me, you cannot be what you cannot see," Marles said. "Susan's achievement will be deeply significant to women who are serving in the Australian Defence Force and women who are thinking about serving in the Australian Defence Force in the future," he said.
At Monday's press conference, Coyle stressed her experience in areas such as cyber-warfare and noted various senior command roles she has held.
"This breadth of experience provides a strong foundation for the responsibilities of command and the trust placed in me," she said.
Women make up around 21% of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and 18.5% of senior leadership roles. The ADF set a target to attain 25% overall participation by 2030. Last October, a class action lawsuit against the ADF alleged that it failed to protect thousands of female officers from systematic sexual assault, harassment and discrimination.
Navy and Submarine Veteran Mark Hammond to Take Overall ADF Command
The current chief of navy in Australia, Vice Admiral Mark Hammond, will take over the role as defense force chief in the reshuffle.
Hammond has more than 40 years experience in the navy, including as a submarine commander, and is said to have formed a strong working relationship with Albanese and Marles.
Defense Minister Marles said Hammond had been "right at the heart" of the recent pitch to acquire nuclear-powered submarines as part of the AUKUS defensive alliance with the US and UK.
"He has literally gone from scrubbing decks to, in July, becoming the chief of the defense force," Marles said of Hammond.
Coyle and Hammond are replacing officers Simon Stuart and David Johnston, who will be retiring in July.
Read: Australian Soldier Arrested Over Alleged Afghanistan War Crimes
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Indonesia Eyes Export of 1.5mn Tons Fertilizer as Iran War Disrupts Global Supply
1 hari lalu
Indonesia says it is ready to export fertilizer, leveraging the disrupted global distribution following the war in the Middle East.
Blocked by Its Own Regulations
2 hari lalu
Neighboring countries rolled out policies to cope with mounting energy crisis pressures, from cutting fuel taxes to releasing fuel reserves.
When Is Australia's Mother's Day in 2026? Date & Celebration Guide
2 hari lalu
Mother's Day is fast approaching in Australia, arriving on Sunday, May 10. Here's everything you need to know about this special celebration.
3 Australians Handed to Prosecutors Over Illegal Entry in Papua
4 hari lalu
Immigration officials have handed over three Australian nationals to the Prosecutor's Office following an illegal flight into Merauke.
Palembang Emerging as a Promising Destination for Australian Tourists
5 hari lalu
According to the Australian Ambassador, Palembang has great tourism potential but remains largely undiscovered by international tourists.
Fact Check: Is Indonesia a Pioneer in Social Media Ban for Children?
5 hari lalu
Fact check - Indonesia is the first ASEAN country to adopt the social media ban for children, but not the first in the world.
Australian Soldier Arrested Over Alleged Afghanistan War Crimes
6 hari lalu
A decorated former Australian soldier has been arrested for allegedly killing unarmed prisoners while on duty in Afghanistan.
Indonesia Shifts LPG Imports From Middle East to US, Australia
7 hari lalu
The government has also redirected crude oil imports from the Middle East to Angola, Nigeria, and other African countries to secure supplies.
BMKG Weather Forecast: Will Rain in South Jakarta, Tangerang Be Heavier?
7 hari lalu
BMKG releases weather forecast for Jakarta and its neighbors, warns of sudden, heavy rains despite the strengthening of the dry monsoon.
Today's Top 3 News: Russia, China, France Block UN Security Council Resolution on Strait of Hormuz
9 hari lalu
Here is the list of the top 3 news on Tempo English today.
