New army chief makes history as first woman in role
The appointment of the first woman to lead the Australian military has been hailed as a significant moment for the defense force, but experts say more work is needed to improve representation across the organisation.
Current joint capabilities chief Susan Coyle will become the first woman appointed to head any branch of the Australian Defense Force when she takes up her role as chief of staff in July.
Lieutenant General Coyle enlisted as a soldier in the Army Reserve in 1987 and has since been deployed to East Timor, the Solomon Islands and Afghanistan.
In 2020, she became the first woman to command a joint task force for all Australian operations in the Middle East.
While there will be more focus on what this appointment means for women, defense expert Jennifer Parker said Lieutenant Coyle should be recognized for her impressive service throughout her career.
Ms Parker told AAP: “Men and women, particularly those in the ADF, should be immensely proud of this day… Lieutenant General Coyle has significant operational and professional experience and has led a number of commands throughout his career.”
“It has taken us so long to get here and I don’t think we should read that as meaning that everything is solved in terms of representation across the ADF.
“We still need to focus on making sure we have opportunities for women and people from different backgrounds.”
Ms Parker, who served in the Royal Australian Navy for more than 20 years and is a specialist fellow at the ANU National Security College, said restrictions on women serving in all defense roles were only lifted in 2013.
“We have to think about how much things have changed, but also how much there is still to do,” he said.
“It’s incredibly important for women to see the opportunities available to them… This is an important moment for the military, but I wonder how long it will be before a woman is appointed head of the navy or air force.”
Lieutenant General Coyle’s appointment comes as the defense force grapples with allegations of sexual abuse and harassment experienced by female veterans during their military service.
Nearly 2,500 women have joined a landmark class action against the Commonwealth alleging a culture of systemic sexual abuse, harassment and discrimination within the ADF.
Changing the culture in any organization takes more than one key appointment, Ms. Parker said.
“It’s a complex thing. The culture is constantly evolving… (this announcement) is a sign that things are moving in the right direction, but there are still changes that need to be made,” he said.
“I’m not sure one moment means a culture is changing. It’s about constant small changes.”
Announcing the appointment, Defense Minister Richard Marles stated that Lieutenant General Coyle told him “you cannot be what you cannot see”.
“Susan’s success will be hugely significant for women serving in the Australian Defense Force today and for women considering serving in the future,” he told reporters on Monday.
Mr Marles will address the National Press Club in Canberra on Thursday, where he will launch the 2026 National Defense Strategy and Integrated Investment Programme.
He is expected to announce that the federal government will invest up to $15 billion in unmanned and autonomous systems, including unmanned aerial vehicles, for defense forces over the next decade.
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