Australia’s first female General, Major-General Cosson’s work in defence logistics has contributed to peace operations in Cambodia, East Timor, and Bougainville. Liz Cosson joined the Australian Army in 1979 as an officer cadet and was commissioned into the Royal Australian Army Ordnance Corps, serving various appointments as a supply and administrative officer in her early career.

In 1991 she was appointed to a position at the Royal Australian Air Force Logistics Command where she was responsible for the logistics support to army aviation aircraft. For her work in improving the availability of the Black Hawk helicopter fleet and supporting the fleet deployment to Cambodia, she received a commendation from the Air Officer Commanding Logistics.

Image courtesy Australian Department of Defence

From 1995 Major General Cosson’s appointments within Land Command included a regimental post with the 11th Brigade, and a logistics staff officer post at Headquarters Land Command where her responsibilities included logistics planning in support of the 1999 operations in East Timor.

In November 1999 Liz Cosson deployed as the Chief of Staff of the Peace Monitoring Group, Bougainville and for this work was awarded a Conspicuous Service Cross in the 2001 Australia Day Honours List. On her return from Bougainville she served with Defence Corporate Support before being seconded to the Joint Standing Committee for Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade in the House of Representatives.

In 2002, Major General Cosson commenced a three-year appointment in strategic logistics planning with responsibility for logistics policy and developing concepts to improve logistics information systems. Promoted to Brigadier in December 2005, she was posted as Director General Regions and Bases, Defence Support Group to manage integrated service delivery to Defence bases across Australia.

In November 2007 Liz Cosson was promoted to Major General and appointed Head of National Operations, Defence Support Group.

A graduate of the Australian Command and Staff College at Queenscliff (1994) and the Defence Strategic Studies Course (2005), Liz Cosson holds a Graduate Diploma in Management Studies, a Bachelor of Social Sciences and a Master of Arts in Strategic Studies. She is married to James Baker, also currently serving in the Australian Army.

Australian Department of Defence