Malcolm Turnbull announces Home Affairs department in national security overhaul
Malcolm Turnbull has shrugged off concerns by some of his own ministers and outside experts and announced a new Home Affairs department to be headed by Peter Dutton and which will have responsibility for all national security, ranging from immigration to counter-terrorism.
To calm concerns about vesting so much power in one minister, the Attorney-General will lose ministerial control of ASIO but, as first law officer of the land, will retain responsibility for signing off on warrants and other authorisations required by the domestic spy agency and other members of the intelligence community. Mr Dutton will also need to sign off on such matters.
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