Women lead rejuvenation of defence force hierarchy

Defence’s new Head of Joint Capability, Major General Susan Coyle, says she never could’ve imagined becoming a three-star general and says the ‘million-dollar question’ is when we will get our first female defence chief.

National Cyber Security Coordinator Lieutenant General Michelle McGuinness, left, Chief of Personnel Lieutenant General Natasha Fox and Forces Command Major General Susan Coyle in Canberra on Tuesday. Picture: AAP

Defence’s new Head of Joint Capability, Major General Susan Coyle, says she never could have imagined becoming a three-star general and has declared the “million-dollar question” was when will Australia get its first female defence force chief.

Major General Coyle was one of a raft of new appointments announced by the Albanese government on Tuesday, including that of a new Chief of Defence Force, Vice Admiral David Johnston, the first navy chief to be appointed to the role in more than 20 years.

Vice Admiral Johnston in July will replace Angus Campbell, who’s six-year term as CDF was one of the longest in Defence history.

Defence Minister Richard Marles also announced the new head Chief of Air Force would be Air Vice-Marshall Stephen Chappell, son of Australian cricket legend Greg Chappell.

“This is a moment where we need a safe pair of hands and deep experience to take our defence force forward,” Mr Marles said.

Mr Marles noted that as a result of the latest round of appointments, the ADF would go from having no women serving at the three-star level to three doing so.

“As a result of this promotion round, as of July of this year, in Michelle McGuinness, in Natasha Fox and in Susan Coyle, there will now be three three-star-rank officers in the Australian Defence Force. That’s three of 10,” Mr Marles said.

“It is a very significant step forward in terms of the participation of women in the senior leadership of the Australian Defence Force.

“You cannot be what you cannot see. And in this promotion round, indeed, as there have been over the last 12 months, this is a moment of significant note, which we’re very pleased to be announcing.”

After the announcement of her appointment, Major General Coyle – who is replacing Lieutenant General John Frewen – told The Australian she didn’t even know if she would graduate from the Australian Defence Force Academy, let alone make it to one of the highest ranks of the ADF.

“It is such a privilege to be considered for such an important role in the defence force,” she said. “The more role models we have, the more opportunities there will be for others to see what’s possible when they serve their nation.”

Asked how long she expected it would be before the defence force saw a female CDF, Major General Coyle said “that’s the million dollar question”.

“I don’t know. Who knows, that’s the million-dollar question,” she said.

“There’s three of us (women) now in these roles and all in really important roles as part of the defence mission. I think we’ll concentrate on what we’re doing now.”

Major General Coyle, 53, was formerly the head of information warfare and previously worked for the Royal Australian Corps of Signals.

She was awarded a Distinguished Service Medal as the Deputy Commander of Task Group Afghanistan, and a Conspicuous Service Cross as the Commanding Officer 17th Signal Regiment.

Major General Coyle said she “couldn’t have said it better” than Mr Marles, and reiterated that people “couldn’t be what they couldn’t see”.