Mark Binskin to be Australia's next defence chief

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott announced Friday that Air Marshal Mark Binskin, currently the Australian Defence Force's (ADF) vice-chief, will be the next chief of the defence, when General David Hurley steps down July 4.

According to Abbott, the new vice-chief will be Vice-Admiral Ray Griggs, currently the chief of the navy. He'll be replaced at the head of the navy by current navy fleet commander Rear Admiral Tim Barrett, Xinhua reported.

"I have to say I'm extremely honoured and very proud to have been selected to take over as chief of the defence force in July this year," Air Marshal Binskin said Friday.

"It's a time of transformation for the ADF and it's a time for continued reform for the ADF," he added.

In addition, according to the media, chief of the defence and other defence chiefs are traditionally appointed to three-year terms, but Abbott said Friday that appointments would now run for four years.

Abbott emphasised that three years is "a relatively short period of time".

"For instance, in government they say it takes 12 months to learn the ropes and then you've got 12 months to do something and then you've got 12 months thinking about the next election," he said.

"I guess with a three-year term at the top of the defence force there are similar problems of short-termism," he explained.

"It's a modest extension but I think it will help to promote good management and good governance inside our military," Abbott added.