Richard Marles' mission to shakeup Defence

The terms of Chief of Defence Force Angus Campbell and Vice Chief David Johnston were extended for two years within weeks of Labor's election, while Secretary Greg Moriarty was handed another five-year contract in September 2022. Lost opportunity No doubt at the time it made sense to leave the old hands in place to help a rookie government, particularly as AUKUS negotiations with the US and UK were underway, but in doing so Marles lost the chance to stamp his authority early. A focal point of Marles' frustrations has been a feeling Defence has not fully heeded the findings of…