The Senior Executive
The Defence Senior Executive includes the Chief of the Defence Force, the Secretary, Group Heads and Service Chiefs. These officers and officials, in different combinations, are the chairs and members of the Defence senior committees in accordance with their relevant responsibilities. Members of the Senior Executive, as at 30 June 2006, are listed on the inside cover of this report. The changes to the Senior Executive during 2005–06 were as follows:
General Peter Cosgrove, Chief of the Defence Force, retired on 4 July 2005 and was replaced by Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, formerly Chief of Air Force. Air Marshal Geoffrey Shepherd was promoted to his current rank and replaced Air Marshal Houston as Chief of Air Force on 4 July 2005.
Vice Admiral Chris Ritchie, Chief of Navy, retired on 4 July 2005 and was replaced by Vice Admiral Russ Shalders, formerly Vice Chief of the Defence Force. Lieutenant General Ken Gillespie was promoted to his current rank on 4 July 2005 and replaced Vice Admiral Shalders as Vice Chief of the Defence Force on 4 July 2005.
Rear Admiral Brian Adams, Head Defence Personnel Executive, retired on 15 June 2005 and was replaced by Major General Mark Evans on 4 July 2005.
Mr Ron Bonighton, Deputy Secretary Intelligence and Security, retired on 19 November 2005 and was replaced by Mr Shane Carmody, formerly Deputy Secretary Strategy. Mr Michael Pezzullo was promoted to Deputy Secretary Strategy on 12 January 2006.
Mr Phillip Prior was appointed as the Chief Finance Officer on 19 January 2006, replacing Mr Ken Moore, who retired from Defence after acting in this position from March 2005.
Mr Alan Henderson, Deputy Secretary Corporate Services, left Defence on 30 June 2006 to take up an appointment with the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Following an organisational restructure, Mr Frank Roberts performed the new function of Deputy Secretary Defence Support, pending the permanent filling of the position by Mr Martin Bowles in September 2006.