Australia on Monday said a woman would lead its army for the first time in history, as part of a reshuffle of the country\u2019s defence force leadership.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lieutenant General Susan Coyle, the current chief of joint capabilities, will become chief of army in July, the government said in a statement. She will replace Lieutenant General Simon Stuart.Coyle\u2019s appointment comes as Australia\u2019s military seeks to boost the number of female officers in its ranks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It faces a wave of allegations of systematic sexual harassment and discrimination.\u201cFrom July, we will have the first ever female chief of army in the Australian Army\u2019s 125-year history,\u201d Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in a statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Defence Minister Richard Marles called Coyle\u2019s appointment a \u201cdeeply historic moment\u201d. \u201cAs Susan said to me, you cannot be what you cannot see,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n