Peter Dutton to head major national security overhaul that includes ASIO, AFP and Border Force

PETER Dutton will take charge of a national security super-department in a radical overhaul to intelligence and law enforcement arrangements — but the changes are “troubling”, Labor says.

Immigration minister Peter Dutton will head a new national security super-department. Picture: AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts

PETER Dutton will take charge of a national security super-department in the most radical overhaul to intelligence and law enforcement arrangements in almost half a century.

ANDREW BOLT: IS BIG CHANGE JUST TO KEEP DUTTON LOYAL?

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has decided to create a British-style Home Affairs office, to be headed by the current Immigration Minister.

It will include the Federal Police, Border Force and the Australian Security and Intelligence Organisation. Though retaining their autonomy they will, for the first time, report to the same minister in an effort to streamline security.

Immigration minister Peter Dutton will head a new national security super-department. Picture: AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts

An Office of National Intelligence will be formed, and the Australian Signals Directorate becomes a statutory agency.

Mr Dutton said the changes — to be in place by mid next year — had been discussed “over a long period” and would allow “the greatest capacity to keep Australians safe”.

Attorney-General George Brandis, who loses responsibility for ASIO, said he supported the changes.

The Prime Minister said Senator Brandis’s role as the nation’s first law officer would be enhanced, as he would provide “strong oversight and accountability” while remaining in charge of authorising warrants for security operations.

Attorney-General George Brandis will lose responsibility for ASIO to Dutton. Picture: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

“We need these reforms, not because the system is broken, but because our security environment is evolving quickly,” Mr Turnbull said. “We can’t take an ‘if it ain’t broke don’t fix it’ approach to security arrangements.”

Respected former ASIO boss and Defence Secretary Dennis Richardson said the overhaul was “difficult to criticise, but equally I think it’s difficult to proclaim it as some great advance”.

Labor will be briefed about Mr Turnbull’s plan.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said he was “troubled” that today’s changes appeared to be “more about resolving Liberal Party civil wars” than improving counter-terrorism strategy.

“Everybody knows that Malcolm Turnbull has to keep Peter Dutton onside,” the Labor leader said.

Originally published as Peter Dutton to head major national security overhaul that includes ASIO, AFP and Border Force