ASIO, ASIS chiefs removed from national security committee

Two key national security chiefs have been removed from the Albanese government’s top national security committee.

Two of Australia’s leading intelligence bosses have been dumped from the Albanese government’s top security body.

The head of ASIO, Director-General Mike Burgess, and the head of ASIS, Director-General Kerri Hartland, have been removed from the Albanese government’s national security meeting of Cabinet, according to Sky News.

The director-generals have previously given advice on key security and sovereignty issues within the cabinet, which makes decisions on the highest risk and most urgent national security matters.

But it’s understood Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet secretary Glyn Davis has removed both as permanent members. 

The change means both will instead be invited on a case-by-case basis to provide advice to the security body.

Director-General of Security in charge of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Mike Burgess. Picture: Martin Ollman

ASIS Director General Kerri Hartland. Picture: Lukas Coch

Coalition home affairs spokesman James Paterson slammed the decision, urging the government to “reverse this reckless decision urgently”.

“It is very concerning to hear that the Albanese government has removed intelligence and security agency heads from the critical committee of government considering national security matters,” he told Sky News Australia.

“They should have available the best advice from our expert agencies when making decisions in the national interest, but that’s pretty hard if they are not in the room. No wonder this government has been so weak and incompetent on national security.”

It comes weeks after Mr Burgess revealed Australians were being heavily targeted by foreign interference, including bombshell revelations that a former Australian MP had “sold out” our nation after being recruited by sophisticated foreign intelligence network.

The ‘A-team’ network, which Mr Burgess refused to share to reveal the origins of, was later revealed to be Chinese-based.

Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet secretary Glyn Davis.

Shadow defence spokesman Andrew Hastie also criticised the move.

“It’s a very concerning data point, it’s a warning sign flashing red for me when you’re kicking intelligence heads out of a committee,” Mr Hastie told Sky News.

“Intelligence heads, it’s not their job to deliver good news, they deliver bad news, it’s their job to warn the government of the challenges ahead.

“To not have the head of ASIO or head of ASIS in the room is very concerning.”

Asked why ASIO and ASIS had been removed from the National Security Committee of Cabinet, an Albanese Government spokesman said: “We don’t comment on matters relating to national security.”

An ASIO spokesman said “membership of cabinet committees is a matter for government”.

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