Director-General of Security
Template:Short description Template:Use Australian English Script error: No such module "Unsubst". Template:Infobox political post The director-general of security is the executive officer of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), Australia's national security agency. The director-general, through ASIO, has overall responsibility for the protection of the country and its citizens from espionage, sabotage (especially sabotage of critical infrastructure), politically motivated violence, attacks on the Australian defence system, terrorism and acts of foreign interference.
The director-general is assisted by two deputy directors-general, although only one of the former deputies, David Fricker, has been publicly identified.Script error: No such module "Unsubst". David Fricker left ASIO in 2011.[1] The director-general is subject to the directions of the attorney-general, although convention allows the director-general direct access to the prime minister. The director-general of security is often regarded as Australia's 'top spy', even though they may not have been previously engaged in intelligence upon appointment.[2] The incumbent director-general is Mike Burgess, appointed on 16 September 2019.
The director-general is appointed by the governor-general on the advice of the prime minister and holds office under the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1979.[3] The normal term of appointment is limited to seven years, although the director-general is eligible for reappointment.[4]
Directors-general of security
| Tenure | Name |
|---|---|
| 1949–1950 | Justice Sir Geoffrey Reed |
| 1950–1970 | Brigadier Sir Charles Spry, Script error: No such module "If empty". |
| 1970–1975 | Peter Barbour |
| 1975–1976 | Frank Mahony, Script error: No such module "If empty". |
| 1976–1981 | Justice Sir Edward Woodward, Script error: No such module "If empty". |
| 1981–1985 | Harvey Barnett, Script error: No such module "If empty". |
| 1985–1988 | Alan Wrigley, Script error: No such module "If empty". |
| 1988–1992 | John Moten |
| 1992–1996 | David Sadleir, Script error: No such module "If empty". |
| 1996–2005 | Dennis Richardson, Script error: No such module "If empty". |
| 2005–2009 | Paul O'Sullivan, Script error: No such module "If empty". |
| 2009–2014 | David Irvine, Script error: No such module "If empty". |
| 2014–2019 | Major General Duncan Lewis, Script error: No such module "If empty". |
| 2019–present | Mike Burgess |
See also
- William Simpson – Director-General of Security in Australia from 1942 to 1945
References
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- ↑ The Australian, 23 December 2011, From ASIO to archives
- ↑ Howard adviser lands top spy job, The Sydney Morning Herald, 10 July 2005
- ↑ AUSTRALIAN SECURITY INTELLIGENCE ORGANISATION ACT 1979 - SECT 7
- ↑ AUSTRALIAN SECURITY INTELLIGENCE ORGANISATION ACT 1979 - SECT 9
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External links
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