Former prime minister John Howard has praised the appointment of Peter Cosgrove as the nation's next governor-general, saying he is the "right person at the right time".
"This is a great decision ... and I think it will be widely welcomed by both sides of politics," he told Sky News on Tuesday.
During Mr Howard's term, General Cosgrove served as commander of the Interfet taskforce in East Timor, chief of army and chief of the defence force.
"He has the common touch and the strength and dignity ... that's just the right combination for this position," Mr Howard said.
He said it was a "fortunate coincidence" that a person with a military background was named governor-general in the year of the 100th anniversary of World War I.
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"He happens to be the right person at the right time."
When questioned about General Cosgrove's views on the monarchy, Mr Howard said he was satisfied General Cosgrove would set the "right tone" and balance in the position.
"He serves the system, and the Australian people decided in 1999 that this country would keep the constitutional monarchy."
