Prime Minister Julia Gillard has announced a raft of changes to the Australian Defence Force, including announcing Lt General David Hurley as its new chief.
Defence force chief Angus Houston will be replaced by his deputy Hurley when he retires in July.
The PM also announced a host of changes to his team, and wished them the best in their endeavours, including 'the most improtant asset of the ADF' - its people.
The PM praised outgoing ADF head Angus Houston's 'remarkable' service.
Air Chief Marshal Houston will have been the force's second-longest serving defence force chief when he retires on July 4.
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Had he continued another 13 days in the job he would have been the longest serving chief, said Ms Gillard.
"I'm looking forward to the festival of Angus," she said in praising the outgoing chief's six-year term which had been marked by an "intense" operational agenda.
"He has held several senior command positions within the ADF," she said.
Defence Minister Stephen Smith says Hurley will bring a number of atrributes to the role.
General Hurley has been land commander Australia, chief of the capability and development group and chief of operations.
The vice-chief position will be filled by Air Marshal Mark Binskin, presently chief of the air force.
The new navy chief will be Rear Admiral Ray Griggs, currently deputy chief of joint operations, while the new army head will be Major General David Morrison, now the army's forces commander.
The new air force chief will be Air Vice Marshal Geoff Brown, moving up from deputy.
