Meghan Quinn will move from secretary of the Industry Department to head the high-profile Defence Department – the first woman to hold that post.

She follows Greg Moriarty, who has become Australia’s ambassador to the United States.

Quinn will oversee the government’s recently announced 2026 National Defence Strategy, which promises an extra $14 billion over four years and an extra $53 billion over a decade.

Quinn was a former deputy secretary in Treasury and previously also worked for BHP and the Bank of England. Her experience in the industry portfolio will be particularly relevant to her new job, although she lacks experience in the national security area.

Asked whether choosing someone from outside the Defence Department was an acknowledgement that organisation needed to be shaken up, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said:

No, it’s an acknowledgement that Meghan Quinn was the best qualified person when we considered all of the potential applicants.

No, it’s an acknowledgement that Meghan Quinn was the best qualified person when we considered all of the potential applicants.

Quinn is the latest of a number of women the government has appointed to very senior positions. In the recent new military line-up, Susan Coyle was made chief of army.

At his news conference, Albanese pointed out that a majority of his cabinet, as well as a majority of his caucus, are women.

He highlighted other top jobs that have gone to........

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