Defence in for a shake-up

AUSTRALIA’s military is due for wholesale change at the top, with three of the nation’s top commanders reaching the end of their contracts in the first week of July.

The unfortunate timing means the next defence minister will have to consider replacements for three of our four top military leaders, including Chief of the Defence

Force Angus Campbell immediately after taking office.

Ordinarily, a formal process would be under way to replace General Campbell, as well as the Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Rick Burr, and the Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Michael Noonan.

When General Campbell was appointed to his four-year term in 2018, the government announced it in early April – months ahead of his start date of July 4.

But with the federal government due to enter caretaker mode within three weeks, the process will be delayed, and the new defence minister will have to make appointments soon after being sworn in.

If the Coalition holds government, it would be expected that Defence Minister Peter Dutton would retain the portfolio.

If Labor were to win, deputy leader and national reconstruction spokesman Richard Marles would likely become defence minister, having previously served as the Opposition’s defence spokesman.

The most important appointment will be that of the new Chief of the Defence Force, and it would be presumed both sides of politics are informally considering the new appointment.

While the role is theoretically rotated across the three armed forces, in reality this does not always happen – Australia has not had a CDF from the Navy since 2002.

It is also possible General Campbell could be asked to stay on, to ensure continuity and stability, particularly in the event Labor won government.

While Australia does not have troops actively fighting ground wars overseas, the country is refocusing its military to consider potential threats from China.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has also heightened military tensions.

Under General Campbell’s leadership, the military has been used to assist in a number of domestic crises, including the Black Summer bushfires and evacuation of Mallacoota in January 2020 and has helped out with Covid roles.