DEFENCE MEDIA RELEASE
Issued by Ministerial Support and Public Affairs, Department of Defence, Canberra, ACT
Phone: 02 6127 1999, Fax: 02 6265 1545
MSPA 164/10
Thursday, 13 May 2010
ADF member representative directors nominated for the proposed
Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation
The Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, AC, AFC, announced
today that he has nominated General Peter Cosgrove, AC, MC and Mr John McCullagh as the
Australian Defence Force (ADF) member representative directors on the proposed
Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation. The appointment of the nominees is subject to
passage of the Governance of Australian Government Superannuation Schemes Bill 2010
which is currently before Parliament.
The Governance of Australian Government Superannuation Schemes Bill 2010 establishes
the Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation as a single trustee body to be responsible for
most Commonwealth Government superannuation schemes. This will include the Military
Superannuation and Benefits Scheme and the Defence Force Retirement and Death Benefits
scheme from 1 July 2010.
General Peter Cosgrove is well known and respected within the ADF and wider community.
His military career spanned 40 years, culminating in his promotion to General and
appointment as the Chief of the Defence Force in 2002. Since separating from the ADF in
2005, General Cosgrove has served as a director of QANTAS Airways Limited, QANTAS
Superannuation Limited, Australian Rugby Union Limited and as a fellow of the Australian
Institute of Company Directors.
Mr John McCullagh has had 28 years experience in the governance of Commonwealth
superannuation, and in the last seven years has focused on military superannuation with four
years as the Chief Executive Officer of the Military Superannuation Benefits Scheme
(MSBS). He is currently employed as an adviser to the MSBS Board to facilitate the
transition to the new merged Board arrangements.
“As ADF member representatives, General Cosgrove and Mr McCullagh will bring to the
new Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation board a deep understanding of the needs
and expectations of ADF personnel regarding their superannuation schemes,” Air Chief
Marshal Houston said.
“Both nominees have extensive experience and a detailed technical knowledge of the
superannuation industry and, in particular, the unique features of the existing military
schemes.
"General Cosgrove and Mr McCullagh have a demonstrated history of, and a reputation for,
championing the best interests of ADF members and I am confident that they will continue to
do so in their new roles," Air Chief Marshal Houston said.
Media contact: Defence Media Liaison: (02) 6127 1999 or 0408 498 664
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