Former defence chief appointed to top diplomatic posting

Former defence chief Angus Campbell has been appointed as Australia’s next ambassador to Brussels, in a diplomatic posting that will require all the retired general’s military nous.

Former ADF chief Angus Campbell is now retired and has been given a top diplomatic posting in Europe

Former defence force chief Angus Campbell has been appointed ambassador to the EU, NATO, Belgium and Luxembourg, in a diplomatic posting that will call for the retired general’s military knowledge and experience.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong announced on Friday that Mr Campbell would represent Australia in Brussels, six months after his six-year tenure as the head of the nation’s defence force came to an end.

The appointment of the senior army officer, first flagged by The Australian, will likely see Mr Campbell’s military experience and contacts promoted as an asset in the NATO element of the high-profile posting.

Announcing a slew of appointments on Friday, Senator Wong praised the credentials of the “three highly qualified individuals” handed new positions, including seasoned envoy Peter Truswell as ambassador to Serbia, Brenton Kanowski as Australia’s Consul-General in Lae in PNG and Mr Campbell.

Mr Campbell’s appointment comes as Australia continues negotiations to finalise a free-trade agreement with the EU that stalled in October over the level of access provided to the nation’s agricultural exports.

Senator Wong said Australia had a “warm relationship” with Belgium, the EU, NATO and Luxembourg based on a “shared commitment to the global rules-based order”.

Australia’s close ties with Belgium build on the legacy of those Australians who fought and died in Flanders fields during the First World War,” Senator Wong said.

“We also enjoy productive, contemporary economic and political links. Australia remains committed to concluding a free-trade agreement with the EU that is in our national interest.”

Mr Campbell’s new role will see him 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.

Anthony Albanese extended Mr Campbell’s term as ADF chief by two years when Labor came into office, but he was replaced by Admiral David Johnston in July.

The Prime Minister said in April that Mr Campbell had “served our nation with great distinction, during a period of significant strategic change and cultural reform”.

But Mr Campbell’s legacy has been tainted by criticism over his response to allegations of war crimes committed by ADF personnel in Afghanistan.

His detractors have also criticised the now retired general for a shortfall in the nation’s defence capabilities and plunging ADF morale.

Mr Truswell, who will also act as Australia’s representative to Montenegro and the Republic of North Macedonia, is a career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. He previously acted as Australia’s consul-general in Mumbai.

Mr Kanowski is an experienced public servant, who has previously been posted to the Australian High Commission in Tarawa in Kiribati.