Spy chief Mike Burgess reinstated to Australian security council after backlash

Australia’s powerful spy chief has been reinstated as a permanent member of the National Security Committee, months after his controversial axing came to light.

Australia’s powerful spy chief has been reinstated as a permanent member of the National Security Committee just months after his controversial axing came to light.

ASIO Director General Mike Burgess was revealed to have been removed from the committee earlier this year, instead consulting on national security matters case-by-case.

But, Sky News reported on Wednesday Mr Burgess has recently been reinstated after widespread criticism for the move, which reportedly diluted his role in the group.

The National Security Committee or NSC handles many of the country’s most pressing and urgent issues and also includes Defence Minister Richard and the Prime Minister.

A heavily-redacted freedom of information request obtained by Sky News reportedly revealed Mr Burgess had been removed from the NSC as early as January this year.

ASIO Director-General Mike Burgess. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

The request showed Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus had written to Mr Burgess on January 9 thanking him for his “contributions to this committee throughout 2022”.

“I look forward to your contribution through cooption to relevant matters at this committee as they arise in the future,” the letter in the request reportedly showed.

Under the decision, both Mr Burgess and Australian Secret Intelligence Service Director-General Kerri Hartlan were reportedly removed as permanent members.

Shadow Home Affairs Minister James Paterson told Sky News the backflip was an admission of guilt by the government and that he should never have been removed.