SMH spooks scoop looks crook as security yarn becomes old news
Peter Hartcher’s ‘exclusive’ on a planned homeland security minister is anything but.
OMG Peter Hartcher has an “exclusive” that has never been published before ever, ever, ever. Sydney Morning Herald, yesterday:
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is considering a proposal for a major restructuring of the federal government that would create a US-style Department of Homeland Security.
Except for here ... three months ago ... Daily Telegraph, January 11, 2017: EXCLUSIVE — Sharri Markson.
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.
But ... but ... did you know it would combine ASIO and Immigration and the AFP? Sydney Morning Herald, yesterday:
The enlarged department would be built on the existing Department of Immigration and Border Protection, which already includes the Australian Border Force ... The relocated agencies would be stripped out of the Attorney-General’s department. It would be reduced to a legal advisory office, losing all its operational agencies including the Australian Federal Police and the domestic spy body ASIO (Australian Security Intelligence Organisation).
Umm ... yeah. Daily Telegraph continued:
The department would be similar to the Home Office in the UK and the US’s Homeland Security and would combat the spread of terrorism.
It would bring together the AFP, ASIO and Australian Border Force into one agency, where they could better … tackle terror threats.
But ... but ... people in cabinet are so upset about it. Sydney Morning Herald, continued:
The proposal is hotly contested within the uppermost ranks of the government. ... The Attorney-General is staunchly opposed to being moved on, and, together with other ministers, is understood to be strongly opposed to the proposed restructuring.
Yeah, good get, Peter. Never read that before, mate. Daily Telegraph, January 11, 2017:
Establishing the Home Affairs unit is politically fraught because it would mean four ministers may see their portfolios weakened ...
There are concerns those ministers would be reluctant to lose parts of their portfolio and may resist a move to create a super-ministry.
Did you know most people hate the idea because of the dude behind it? Bet you didn’t ... Sydney Morning Herald, continued:
Ministers and officials complain that it’s unnecessary, potentially counter-productive and based on an ambition for “empire-building” by the plan’s architect, secretary of the Immigration Department, Mike Pezzullo ...
Niki Savva knew. Keep up, Peter. The Australian. September 25, 2014:
... the speculation emanated from the bureaucracy, where envy and paranoia also abound because the man being tipped to head the “new” department was Michael Pezzullo, head of Customs and Border Protection.
The security department idea has been around for yonks. And it’s never happened. Sydney Morning Herald, December 5, 2008:
Kevin Rudd has formally abandoned the plan for a massive new department of homeland security that Labor took to the past three elections.