The federal government appointed Tony Burke as the new minister for cybersecurity and home affairs, with Claire O’Neill moving to minister for housing. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the changes on Sunday afternoon after a week of speculation as part of a major shakeup of his cabinet and ministerial ranks.
“I am proud to lead a talented and united Cabinet that is focused every day on continuing to deliver better outcomes and more opportunity for all Australians,” Mr Albanese said. “While the leadership of this Government will remain the same, the decision by three of my colleagues to step down creates an opportunity for others to step forward.”
Mr Albanese noted that this was the first major shake-up in government in two years, adding that “if there is an election, this is the team I will be leading into the election”, which is expected to take place sometime next year.
New Cyber Security Minister Tony Burke
Burke will take on the roles of Minister for the Arts and Speaker of the House of Commons, as well as being responsible for cybersecurity and home affairs, as well as immigration and multicultural affairs. Other key appointments include Julie Collins becoming Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and Claire O’Neill becoming Minister for Housing and Homelessness.
Mr Albanese also appointed MP Andrew Charlton as a new adviser as “special envoy for cyber security and digital resilience”. “This will be a special assignment where I have had discussions with Andrew, Cyber Security Minister Tony Burke and Communications Minister Michelle Rowland about where Australia, and the world, is heading on a range of issues where technology is changing how we relate to each other and how society functions across the board,” he said.
Mr Albanese emphasised the importance of the role, saying: “This is something that requires someone to step back from the day-to-day business and think about how Australia positions itself to avoid some of the bad outcomes that exist but also to seize the good opportunities that exist. Andrew Charlton is a brilliant thinker and I was keen to appoint him to this role.”
Claire O’Neill, the future Minister for Housing and Homelessness, has held high profile roles within Government, including leading cyber security through the Optus data breach and a series of subsequent high profile incidents which affected many Australians, and overseeing a major update to the Federal Government’s cyber security strategy which is currently underway.
Albanese also announced that the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) would be moved from Home Affairs to the Department of the Attorney-General, to bring it closer to the Australian Federal Police, but he clarified that he was not considering moving cybersecurity out of Home Affairs at the same time.
In an official media release, Mr Albanese expressed confidence in his team, saying: “I am proud of the results we have achieved for Australians and the progress we have made together. Our departments work together, listen to each other and take purposeful and decisive action. Building on their progress, new voices are needed and the reforms I am announcing will ensure stability and certainty.”
The Prime Minister will recommend to His Excellency the Governor-General that the new Department officials be swearing in tomorrow, Monday 29 July 2024.
