Home Affairs portfolio will tackle terror under Malcolm Turnbull’s new plan
UPDATE: A new super ministry will be created to manage national security and be overseen by Peter Dutton, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has announced.
NSW
Don't miss out on the headlines from NSW. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Australian Army to take lead on terror attacks from police
- Sharri Markson: Australia planning to emulate Homeland Security
A NEW super ministry will be created to manage national security and be overseen by Peter Dutton, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has announced.
The change is part of the most significant reform to national intelligence and domestic security arrangements in more than 40 years.
The new Home Affairs portfolio, revealed exclusively by The Daily Telegraph, would be similar to the UK’s Home Office arrangement, but not the Department of Homeland Security in the US, Mr Turnbull said.
It is part of a more co-ordinated counter-terrorism effort, where the agencies can better engage, communicate and share information.
They include domestic spy agency ASIO, the Australian Federal Police, the Australian Border Force and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission.
“When it comes to our nation’s security, we must stay ahead of the threats against us,” Mr Turnbull told reporters in Canberra today.
Now Immigration Minister Peter Dutton will oversee the new portfolio and be assisted by Attorney-General George Brandis and Justice Minister Michael Keenan.
Under Mr Dutton would sit ministers in separate counter-terrorism and police portfolios, similar to the structure of Home Affairs in the UK. It handles counter-terrorism, police, immigration and drugs policy with seven ministers working together in respective portfolios.
Homeland Security: PM plans counter-terrorism ‘super portfolio’ to tackle terrorism
After the announcement, Mr Turnbull is likely to allow several months for the architecture and model to be finalised, with an official start-date towards the end of the year.
The Daily Telegraph exclusively revealed Mr Turnbull’s plans for a Home Affairs portfolio in January this year and confirmed he was pressing ahead with it in April, with Mr Dutton at the helm.
High-level talks about the plan began towards the end of last year but Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, Attorney-General George Brandis and Justice Minister Michael Keenan vehemently opposed the creation of the portfolio.
The intelligence agencies and bureaucracy have also objected to sharing information with other agencies.
Mr Turnbull has continued to develop the model and has discussed timing its start date with a reshuffle that would involve sending Mr Brandis to London to replace Alexander Downer as High Commissioner.
Supporters of the policy change say there are strong arguments for moving Australia’s terror and security efforts under one roof.
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.
Mr Turnbull had been waiting on the return of the intelligence review, which he has now received, before making a final decision on the Home Affairs portfolio, although he has long-favoured the beefed-up structure.
The Daily Telegraph has confirmed the Home Affairs portfolio is not on the official agenda for today’s Cabinet meeting in Canberra, but there is nothing stopping Mr Turnbull raising it in Cabinet or at the National Security Committee.
There has been a strong rivalry for the leadership of the new, all-powerful department between Australian Customs and Border Protection Chief Executive Mike Pezzullo and Commissioner Roman Quaedvlieg.
Their long-term friendship turned competitive as the Homeland Security role took shape and became closer to reality.
In late May, Mr Quaedvlieg took leave amid an investigation into whether he helped his partner secure a job within Australian Border Force.
The investigation is due to conclude next week.
It is not clear whether the revelations about his younger girlfriend would cruel his chances of heading up the new portfolio — a highly coveted position.
Mr Dutton has kept his distance while the investigation is ongoing, however, if Mr Quaedvlieg is cleared, he will return to his current job.
Mr Pezzulo is also in line for the role of Defence Department Secretary, along with Health Department Secretary Martin Bowles, acting secretary Brendan Sargeant, Australian Strategic Policy Institute executive director Peter Jennings and Human Services Secretary Kathryn Campbell.
Mr Turnbull has had a hands-on role in deciding the replacement for former Defence Department Secretary Dennis Richardson.
Former Deputy Police Commissioner also provided advice to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on counter-terrorism and homeland security late last year.
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.
‘Freak bolt’: Woman killed in horror storm identified
The owner of a cat grooming business in Sydney’s southwest has been identified as the woman killed by a “freak bolt” of lightning during Saturday night’s storm.
Aussie SailGP crew hit 93km/h but dodge drama, controversy and storm
Record penalties, flying starts, close calls, nosedives and cheeky moves – day one of the Sydney SailGP had it all and more. including one very happy Australian team.