Homeland Security: PM Turnbull plans counter-terrorism ‘super portfolio’ to tackle terrorism

EXCLUSIVE: Malcolm Turnbull is planning major shake-up in counter-terrorism and security, with a new super-portfolio to tackle the escalating threat, similar to Homeland Security in the US.

• TURNBULL PUTS THE TERRORISTS ON NOTICE
• TERRORISTS CAN BE DETAINED INDEFINITELY

MALCOLM Turnbull is planning a major shake-up in counter-terrorism and domestic security — with a new super-portfolio to tackle the escalating threat.

Mr Turnbull has held high-level talks with cabinet colleagues about a new ­department and ministry to form a co-ordinated counter-terrorism effort.

It would be similar to the Home Office in the UK and Homeland Security in the US.

It would bring together the AFP, ASIO and Australian Border Force into one agency, where they could better engage, communicate and share information to tackle terror threats.

The department would be similar to the Home Office in the UK and the US’ Homeland Security and would combat the spread of terrorism.

In the final weeks of parliament for the year, the Prime Minister’s office had discussions with senior members of the government about the idea.

The Prime Minister’s ­Office is understood to be leaning towards the UK’s Home Affairs Ministry as its working model.

Asked about the discussions he had held with cabinet colleagues regarding a new home affairs ministry, Mr Turnbull would not detail them and he would not “buy into” speculation.

“We do have a review of the Australian intelligence community under way,” he said. “But I’m not going to get into a discussion about government structures.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has already conducted high-level talks about the creation of the department and ministry. Picture: Ray Strange.

“The way I operate as prime minister is I run a cabinet government. We confer on a whole range of issues ­together and when we’ve made a decision, we make an announcement.

‘‘I’m not frontrunning ideas or thought speculating about possible changes. My job is to govern.”

Mr Turnbull would also not respond to questions about whether there would be a new minister to oversee the portfolio.

A group of MPs, concerned about domestic security and the terror threat in Australia, have been agitating Mr Turnbull to forge ahead with the shake-up.

Supporters of the policy change say there are strong arguments for moving Australia’s terror and security ­efforts under one roof.

The new department would bring together the AFP, ASIO and Australian Border Force into one agency

The Christmas Day terror plot in Melbourne was foiled by AFP and Victorian Police following a tip-off from ASIO.

Having the agencies work together more effectively in one unit would greatly ­improve Australia’s response to the global terror threat.

In the UK, the Home ­Office government department handles counter-terrorism, police, immigration and drugs policy.

Seven ministers work together in respective portfolios of police, immigration and security.

It is understood the Prime Minister has been discussing the idea of a super-portfolio for several months, however nothing is set in stone.

Police investigate the scene where a house was raided in Melbourne after an alleged plot to attack Melbourne's Flinders Street Station and Federation Square on Christmas Day was discovered.

A similar idea of a national security super-ministry was raised under former prime minister Tony Abbott, but did not eventuate when it became too difficult for him at a time when his leadership was unstable.

Establishing the Home Affairs unit is politically fraught because it would mean four ministers — Justice Minister Michael Keenan, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, Immigration Minister Peter Dutton and ­Attorney-General George Brandis — may see their portfolios weakened.

Currently, counter-terrorism sits in the Attorney-General’s Department, the AFP and ASIO are in Mr Keenan’s remit and Border Force is an integral part of Mr Dutton’s portfolio.

Sources said the Australian Secret Intelligence Service may remain with the Department of Foreign ­Affairs and Trade.

There are concerns those ministers would be reluctant to lose parts of their portfolio and my resist a move to create a super-ministry.

Cartoonist Warren Brown’s view.

Discussions about the super-portfolio have coincided with manoeuvring ahead of an anticipated ­reshuffle in the new year.

Mr Brandis is tipped to take up a post as the new High Commissioner in London when Alexander Downer finishes his term midyear.