DCA Maj-Gen Peter Leahy, left, CDF ADM Chris Barrie, RADM Russ Shalders and AM Angus Houston, listen as CDF-designate CA Lt-Gen Peter Cosgrove, answers questions from journalists during the press conference held on May 28 at Parliament House to announce the new ADF leadership. Photo by John Feder, News Limited

CA Lt-Gen Peter Cosgrove has been appointed Defence's new CDF.

He will be promoted to General and assume his new role on July 4, replacing ADM Chris Barrie who is retiring next month after serving for more than 41 years in the RAN.

His appointment heads the list of the new military leadership team announced by Prime Minister John Howard on May 28 at Parliament House.

Lt-Gen Cosgrove's deputy will be RADM Russ Shalders, currently Head Defence Personnel Executive, replacing Lt-Gen Des Mueller as VCDF with effect from July 15.

DCA Maj-Gen Peter Leahy, will be promoted to Lieutenant-General and appointed as CA on June 28.

RADM Chris Ritchie, Commander Australian Theatre, will be promoted to the rank of VADM and appointed as CN from July 3. He will replace VADM David Shackleton who is also retiring.

CAF AM Angus Houston remains in his position.

In announcing the appointments, Mr Howard said Lt-Gen Cosgrove had brought "great leadership" as CA.

"He [the CA] is well known for the outstanding role he played in leading the Australian component and also the total component of the INTERFET force which so successfully involved itself in East Timor in 1999. He was Australian of the year in 2001 and is widely known and respected within the Australian community," he said.

Lt-Gen Cosgrove said he was greatly honoured to be selected to be CDF and was "very much aware of the great responsibilities that imposes upon the Chief".

"I'll be working hard to create around me the sense of teamwork and professionalism that is necessary to discharge that office," Lt-Gen Cosgrove said.

"I'd like to very warmly congratulate and thank the outgoing team on the tremendous results and performance they produced in an extraordinarily busy time for the ADF and make a pledge that we will continue to look after the ADF in the best possible, professional style for all those many thousands of service men and women we're responsible for, and of course for their nearest and dearest, and for the people

"...And I'd like to congratulate the new team, most warmly. They're a tremendous bunch of people that I happen to know very well indeed. I'm very confident that this leadership team can look after the ADF in the manner that the Australian people will expect.

"I particularly note with that I'll have AM Angus Houston, a close friend and a very professional colleague and leader as part of the team."

He said people should be in no doubt that the ADF must always work closely with the Government because "after all, through the Government we are serving the people".

"I expect that we will work to have a clear and professional and accountable relationship with the Government on everything we do.

"And I expect that is what every other senior leader and subordinate thinks I must do in relation to the Government. I will be looking forward to working extraordinarily closely with our elected leaders."

Lt-Gen Cosgrove said he would say more about his new role after he assumed the role.

Defence Minister Robert Hill said the new CDF and his leadership team brought a wealth of command experience and strategic expertise to the ADF.

"I am confident they will build on the work done by ADM Barrie and his leadership team and continue to enhance and improve our Defence Force," he said

Lt-Gen Cosgrove's appointment and the new appointments to the Defence leadership team marked a new generation of military leadership for the ADF.

"Since September 11, the world security environment has changed. I am confident that Lt-Gen Cosgrove and his team will be able to meet the challenges of these uncertain times and continue to build on the outstanding work done by ADM Barrie," he said.

"They have extensive military command experience and will bring strong leadership skills to the management of the ADF. I look forward to working with them to make Defence an even more effective and efficient organisation."

By Pte Alisha Carr