Peter Cosgrove announced as next Governor-General PM Tony Abbott announces General Peter Cosgrove will be Australia's next governor-general. Former defence chief Peter Cosgrove is widely expected to be named Australia's next Governor-General. Conservative choice ... Peter Cosgrove announced as the next Governor-General by Prime Minister Tony Abbott at Parliament House in Canberra. RETIRED defence chief Peter Cosgrove has been announced as Australia's 26th Governor-General. Tony Abbott made the announcement in the Prime Ministerial Courtyard at Parliament House in Canberra this afternoon. "It's my great pleasure and honour to announce that Australia's next Governor-General will be General Peter Cosgrove," Mr Abbott said, with General Cosgrove alongside him. Throughout his life he has demonstrated a commitment to our country and a commitment to service. Cosgrove, accompanied by his wife Lynne, said he was truly honoured and humbled to be invited to take one of the great constitutional offices of our democracy. "I'm truly humbled," General Cosgrove said. I hope to meet as many of my fellow Australians as possible. He thanked his wife Lynne for her support over their 37-year marriage. General Cosgrove said the centenary of World War I was approaching and would be a major part of the social landscape out to 2018. But the 66-year-old said he was determined not to be typecast as a military Governor-General. "I just think it's a natural feeling that people have," he said. It's a very wonderful society, the military is a very small proportion, albeit a precious one, of our community. I'm going to make sure ... that we visit widely. I'd like to go out with Adam Goodes into the indigenous community ... to see what their conditions are like. PM Abbott paid tribute to General Cosgrove's military background and said he would discharge his new responsibilities with "vigour and integrity." I am confident that in this new role he will continue to deliver to a grateful nation leadership beyond politics. The Prime Minister also paid tribute to Ms Bryce, who he said had discharged her duties with grace and distinction. "I salute the work that she has done," Mr Abbott said. He wished Ms Bryce and her husband Michael well when they leave office at the end of March. Sky News reports Ms Bryce phoned the PM and spoke directly to General Cosgrove to congratulate him as the next Governor-General shortly after the announcement. He was born and raised in Sydney and schooled at Waverley College; The woman behind the man ... His appointment is seen as timely as the nation marks the centenary of World War I and the birth of the Anzac legend.