New ADF head must seize magnitude of task at hand

New Defence Force chief Vice Admiral David Johnston. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

A consistent feature of the Albanese government has been its propensity to talk big on institutional reform but favour the status quo when it comes to implementation. This was true with the arguably correct decision to appoint Reserve Bank of Australia deputy Michele Bullock to replace Philip Lowe as governor rather than opt for an outside candidate. The same approach has been repeated with the appointment of Vice Admiral David Johnston to serve as the new chief of the Australian Defence Force from July.

So far Ms Bullock has shown herself to be a steady hand to lead an institution that by global standards has been performing well during a period of economic uncertainty and inflationary shocks. Admiral Johnston no doubt is a fine soldier and committed servant to the force, but it is reasonable to ask if this is what is required at this point for a Defence establishment that faces valid criticisms when Australia is increasingly in the geopolitical hot seat. Foreign editor Greg Sheridan is correct to portray Admiral Johnston as a continuity candidate and make the point his appointment reflects a juxtaposition with contemporary government commentary on defence. It is difficult for government to claim a problem exists on culture and procurement within Defence on the one hand but neglect to strive for institutional renewal and change when the rare opportunity for a leadership reset presents itself.

A reset can be justified purely on the grounds that Angus Campbell, whom Admiral Johnston replaces, will have been the longest-serving Chief of the Defence Force. General Campbell’s tenure includes controversies over the behaviour of some troops in Afghanistan and the high rates of suicide among former soldiers. But Anthony Albanese heaped praise on General Campbell and said Admiral Johnston was “a proven leader, with the experience, intellect and resolve to lead the ADF in a complex and rapidly changing global strategic environment”. Defence Minister Richard Marles said Admiral Johnston would be a safe pair of hands with the “deep experience to take our defence force forward”. He said Admiral Johnston had spent his life in the navy, joining at 16, and had been deeply engaged in reshaping the ADF in terms of culture as well as platforms and capabilities. The Australia Defence Association said Admiral Johnston was the logical choice for a potential “pre-war situation”. Peter Dutton, opposition defence spokesman Andrew Hastie and opposition assistant defence spokesman Phillip Thompson issued a joint media release offering their support for the appointment.

The bipartisan good wishes are welcome but they are not enough to paper over the obvious tensions that exist between Defence and both sides of government. As chief international correspondent Cameron Stewart reports, Australia needs Admiral Johnston to act as a bolder agent for change rather than be a continuation of the overly bureaucratic, staid and uninspiring military leadership we have witnessed in recent years. The ADF must reposition itself to respond to a new era of political instability in our region. As Stewart observes, there has been a fractious relationship between the Defence leadership and government, with both Mr Dutton as defence minister and incumbent minister Mr Marles.

Admiral Johnston’s appointment must not be taken as an acknowledgment that the problems have been all political and nothing to do with defence. Admiral Johnston must not be constrained by the past. He must seize the magnitude of the task he has accepted and deliver what taxpayers and the community are entitled to expect. This is a defence force that is able to break through previous inertia and deliver in a timely fashion, with a minimum of waste, the programs and capabilities necessary to keep the nation safe.