Prime Minister Julia Gillard today welcomed the appointment of Major General Mick Slater to lead the Queensland Flood Recovery Taskforce.
The appointment of Major General Slater will provide the Queensland Flood Recovery Taskforce with Defence experience and leadership.
In his role with the Taskforce, Major General Slater will focus on developing a road map to recovery for flood-affected areas.
The Gillard Government is pleased to be able to provide the Queensland Government with this senior secondment.
The Taskforce will be overseen by the Queensland Flood Recovery Cabinet Committee, which will include the newly appointed Minister Assisting the Attorney General on Queensland Floods Recovery, Joe Ludwig.
Major General Slater is originally from Queensland and is currently the Commander of the 1st Division, based at Gallipoli Barracks, Enoggera.
He is an experienced operational commander, having led the Defence response following Cyclone Larry, which devastated Innisfail in March 2006.
In addition, Major General Slater commanded the Australian Defence Force's return to Timor Leste, at the request of the Timorese Government, in June 2006.
Prime Minister Gillard wishes Major General Slater well in what will be a challenging appointment.