Top cop Reece Kershaw to review AFP media raids

New AFP boss Reece Kershaw has vowed to review whether it was appropriate for the federal police to have raided journalists.

New Australian Federal Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw at Parliament House in Canberra yesterday. Picture: Mick Tsikas/AAP

Australia’s incoming top cop, Reece Kershaw, has vowed to review whether it was appropriate for the federal police to have raided journalists who reported secret government documents leaked by whistleblowers.

Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton yesterday unveiled Mr Kershaw as the eighth commissioner of the Australian Federal Police, replacing Andrew Colvin, who was in the role since 2014.

Mr Kershaw said he would examine why the AFP raided the ABC’s Sydney headquarters and the Canberra home of News Corp journalist Annika Smethurst for reporting leaks out of government agencies.

“What I will be asking for when I start in early October is a briefing. We have an incoming commissioner’s brief. And I will be looking at all of those issues,” Mr Kershaw said.

“As an incoming commissioner you have to look at what is on the books and that is what I will do.

“In relation to the media freedoms, I believe in our democracy and that is the approach I will take.”

The post-election raids of journalists and media organisations have raised concerns about press freedom in Australia. The investigations have been defended by Mr Dutton and Mr Colvin on national security grounds.

The Senate this week voted to establish a second inquiry into media freedom after Labor and the Greens said a probe by the Liberal-dominated parliamentary joint committee on intelligence and security did not go far enough.

Mr Kershaw, the Northern Territory police commissioner since 2015, said his major focus would be on combating terrorism, organised crime and cyber crime.

He did not use yesterday’s announcement to call for the federal government to give more funds to the AFP, as requested by Mr Colvin.

“The budget is the budget. What is important — you have to demonstrate public value and remember that it is taxpayer money,” he said.

Mr Kershaw said he would attempt to improve the co-ordination between state and federal police forces in fighting crime.

“I will unleash and unlock those law enforcement resources to do as much damage to the criminal environment, to those persons who break the law and to those organisations who seek to harm Australia,” Mr Kershaw said.

“Our priorities are going to remain as counter terrorism and national security, protecting Australia’s interests and, in particular, targeting of organised crime. Making sure we are attacking the supply chain of those organisations and those individuals.

“State police can play a greater role in that area and I look forward to working with all of those agencies.”

Mr Kershaw was with the AFP before joining the Northern Territory Police Force in 2011.

Labor and the police union welcomed the appointment.

“I congratulate Reece Kershaw on his appointment as commissioner and look forward to working with him when he begins his role at the Australian Federal Police,” opposition home affairs spokeswoman Kristina Keneally said.

Australian Federal Police Association president Angela Smith said Mr Kershaw brought a “wealth of experience back to the AFP”.

“There are a number of key areas that the AFPA sees as priorities, such as mental health, funding and resourcing of the AFP and the upcoming enterprise agreement,” she said.