Federal Labor Member for Wills Peter Khalil announces shock resignation as chair of powerful committee

Victorian Labor Senator Raff Ciccone will head the federal parliament’s powerful security and intelligence committee, after Peter Khalil’s shock resignation.

Peter Khalil MP has announced his resignation as chair of federal parliament’s security and intelligence committee. Picture: NCA NewsWire

Victorian Labor Senator Raff Ciccone will head the federal parliament’s powerful security and intelligence committee.

The appointment follows the resignation of chair Peter Khalil on Tuesday afternoon, after holding the important role for the past two years.

Mr Khalil will now focus on his duties as Special Envoy for Social Cohesion, as he fights off a contest from the Greens in his inner-Melbourne seat of Wills.

Senator Ciccone said it was an honour to have been elected chair of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security.

“The first responsibility of any government is to provide for the safety and security of its citizens,” he said.

“With Australia’s national security environment becoming increasingly complex, the work of the committee is itself becoming increasingly important in protecting and advancing our national interests.”

Raff Ciccone will head the federal parliament’s powerful security and intelligence committee. Picture: Mick Tsikas

Senator Ciccone thanked Mr Khalil for his leadership, saying he had dedicated his career to advancing Australia’s interests and national security.

Mr Khalil, who has held the role for two years, told Anthony Albanese and the parliament’s Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security of his decision on Tuesday afternoon.

“Our work on the terrorist listings and our oversight and accountability over the national security intelligence agencies was really significant and I think critical for Australia’s national security — so I’m very proud of that,” Mr Khalil told the Herald Sun.

“I will miss the role but … I have a really important responsibility as your envoy for social cohesion, and it is a lot of work, and it’s important work.

“Having done this intense job for two years, I think the time is right to focus on this new role the Prime Minister has entrusted me with.”

Mr Khalil said his involvement in diplomatic efforts to improve intelligence sharing and co-ordination with Australia’s partners and allies during a “volatile period” had also been a real highlight.

He thanked the committee and secretariat for their hard work on 24 inquiries.

“My objective was to have a genuine good faith effort towards consensus and a bipartisan approach that goes to achieving outcomes for the national interest and for national security,” Mr Khalil said.

Originally published as Federal Labor Member for Wills Peter Khalil announces shock resignation as chair of powerful committee