Australia Appoints Woman to Lead Its Army for the First Time

Reuters

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and newly appointed Chief of Army Lieutenant General Susan Coyle pose for photographers after a press conference at Parliament House.

Australia announced on Monday that a woman will lead its army for the first time in the nation’s history, as part of a broader reshuffle of the country’s defence force leadership.

Lieutenant General Susan Coyle, currently Chief of Joint Capabilities, will assume the role of Chief of Army in July, the government said in a statement. She will succeed Lieutenant General Simon Stuart.

Coyle’s appointment comes as Australia’s military seeks to increase the number of female officers within its ranks, amid a wave of allegations concerning systemic sexual harassment and discrimination.

"From ⁠July, we will have the first ever female chief of army in the Australian Army's 125-year history," Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in a statement.

Defence Minister Richard Marles called Coyle's appointment a "deeply historic moment."

"As Susan said to me, you cannot be what you cannot see," he said.

"Susan's achievement will be deeply significant to women who are serving in the Australian Defence Force today and women who are thinking about serving in the Australian Defence Force in the future."

Susan Coyle, 55, enlisted in the military in 1987 and has held a number of senior command positions. She will become the first woman to lead any branch of Australia’s armed forces, Defence Minister Richard Marles said.

Women currently account for around 21% of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and 18.5% of senior leadership roles. The ADF has set a target of increasing overall female participation to 25% by 2030.

In October last year, a class action lawsuit was filed against the ADF, alleging it failed to protect thousands of female personnel from systemic sexual assault, harassment and discrimination.

The government also announced on Monday that Vice Admiral Mark Hammond, the current Chief of Navy, will be appointed Chief of the ADF, succeeding Admiral David Johnston.

Rear Admiral Matthew Buckley, the current Deputy Chief of Navy, will replace Hammond as head of the navy.

Source: Reuters



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