Stephanie Foster replaces Mike Pezzullo as new Home Affairs boss

Stephanie Foster has been appointed as the new secretary of the Department of Home Affairs, a day after former chief Mike Pezzullo was fired from the post.

Foster had been acting in the role for almost three months while Lynelle Briggs, a former public service commissioner, conducted an investigation into Pezzullo’s conduct.

Incoming Home Affairs secretary Stephanie Foster at a previous senate estimates hearing.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

Her public service career began in 1987 when she joined the Defence Signals Directorate and has included stints in senior roles in the Departments of Defence and Prime Minister and Cabinet.

In 2021, she led the review into parliamentary workplace culture and practices ordered by the Morrison government after former staffer Brittany Higgins went public with rape allegations.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the Governor‑General had accepted his recommendation to appoint Foster for five years.

“Ms Foster has had an extensive career in the Australian Public Service, including as acting Secretary and Associate Secretary of Home Affairs, and Deputy Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet,” he said.

“Ms Foster has held other senior positions in the APS, including at the Australian Public Service Commission, the Department of Infrastructure and the Department of Defence.”

“Ms Foster has well-established relationships across the APS and significant policy experience, which make her eminently suitable to the role of Secretary.”

Pezzullo was forced out of the role over covert dealings with lobbyists and secret efforts to gain and exert political influence during the terms of the Turnbull and Morrison governments.

His dismissal marked the first time a department head had been dismissed for misconduct and brought the public service career of one of the most influential mandarins in Canberra to an end.

The inquiry by Briggs determined Pezzullo had breached the Australian Public Service code of conduct at least 14 times in relation to five main allegations.

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