Former defence chief tipped for top diplomatic role
Angus Campbell is expected to be appointed Australia’s next ambassador to the EU, NATO Belgium and Luxembourg.
Former Defence chief Angus Campbell is expected to be appointed to one of the nation’s top diplomatic posts as Australia’s next ambassador to the EU, NATO, Belgium and Luxembourg.
Military and diplomatic sources have told The Australian that Foreign Minister Penny Wong will announce in coming days that the retired general will represent Australia in Brussels.
The incumbent, Ambassador Caroline Millar, is due to complete her term at the end of the year.
If General Campbell is installed in the role as expected he will join his wife as a senior member of Australia’s diplomatic corps. Senator Wong appointed Stephanie Copus Campbell as Australia’s Ambassador for Gender Equality in December 2022.
General Campbell’s six-year tenure as Australia’s military chief ended in July amid plunging ADF morale, ongoing capability woes, and lingering resentment among veterans over his handling of war crimes allegations.
His high-level military contacts are likely to be promoted as an asset for the NATO element of the Brussels posting.
Anthony Albanese extended General Campbell’s term for two years when Labor came to office. He said in April that General Campbell had “served our nation with great distinction, during a period of significant strategic change and cultural reform”.
Defence Minister Richard Marles was also a big supporter of the former chief, describing him as “a pivotal Defence leader through thoughtful, necessary and difficult change”.
“He has been a strong advocate for operational accountability, strengthening our alliance and regional relationships, supporting the wellbeing of ADF personnel and maximising the power and effectiveness of an integrated force,” Mr Marles said as Admiral David Johnston was announced as General Campbell’s successor.
But General Campbell has many detractors who say he failed to ensure senior ADF commanders were held accountable for war crimes on their watch in Afghanistan, and that he – as a former commander of Australian forces in the Middle East – should have personally accepted some accountability for what occurred.
Others point to Defence’s failure on his watch to turnaround its growing personnel crisis, or to ensure its massive procurement budget delivered sufficient new capabilities into service despite growing strategic threats.
At the same time, General Campbell is renowned in Canberra for his ability to play the political game. One political source said: “It’s not like Angus Campbell to fall butter-side down. He’s Mr Butter-Side Up.”
The Australian revealed last week that a workplace survey taken while General Campbell was still chief of the defence force showed fewer than a third of soldiers and sailors rated their commanders as effective.
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