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West Australian
4 hours ago
- West Australian
Krissy Barrett: AFP chief Reece Kershaw's shock resignation paves way for first female police boss
Reece Kershaw's shock resignation as Australian Federal Police Commissioner has has paved the way for the force's first female boss and a strong focus on counter terrorism and espionage. At a surprise press conference at Parliament House on Monday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced Krissy Barrett would be appointed as the new AFP commissioner. Ms Barrett starts the job in early October, after Mr Kershaw announced he would finish up his post a year earlier than expected. Mr Kershaw's resignation became public days after rumours began to swirl on Friday that he had quit, yet the AFP would not answer questions, saying only he had 'not submitted his resignation'. However, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke on Monday said Mr Kershaw told him a couple of weeks ago that he wanted to retire this year. He said he was surprised by the revelation. Mr Kershaw, who was initially appointed for five years in 2019, had his term extended last year until October 2026. 'I wasn't expecting the conversation, I wasn't expecting the announcement from him, but he leaves with his head held high and on the best possible terms with the Government,' Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said. The Prime Minister said the Government was 'deeply grateful' for Mr Kershaw's service and that the police officer had made an extraordinary contribution to the nation. 'On a personal note, as the incoming Prime Minister, can I say that the personal relationship that I've enjoyed with the Commissioner as well during particular events – all of which we would rather not have to deal with – Commissioner Kershaw had been absolutely on call, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with his commitment to his fellow Australians,' he said. Mr Kershaw said nearly 11 years leading police forces — including five years as the NT Police commissioner — had taken its toll on family life. 'Being a grandfather has changed me dramatically, and I need to be there for my family. Policing is such a hard profession that we work in, and we sacrifice a lot, in particular our family, including their careers – my wife included, she gave up her career to support me,' he said. 'It's time for me to give back.' Mr Kershaw came under intense scrutiny earlier this year over the Dural caravan incident, which was originally thought to be an anti-Semitic terrorism plot but later revealed as a 'criminal con job' by organised crime figures for their personal benefit. Before the revelation, Mr Kershaw faced sustained questioning from Coalition politicians about what he had told Mr Albanese and when about the discovery of the caravan laden with explosives in Sydney's north-west in January. He insisted he had briefed ministers at the 'appropriate time' and in an appropriate way. He also cautioned senators that providing details in public, 'whether it seems innocuous or not, can have an impact on investigations' and give suspects knowledge of what police knew and when. The AFP was shuffled back into the Home Affairs portfolio after the May election, having been under the Attorney-General's purview during Labor's first term, in what some observers saw as an admission the caravan incident had shown up the weaknesses of splitting the police force from the rest of the intelligence community. One national security insider thought Mr Kershaw would have been happier with the AFP's return to Home Affairs. Ms Barrett is currently the deputy commissioner managing the national security portfolio — a role that meant she was the officer charged with publicly revealing that the Dural caravan plot was a fake. She became deputy commissioner in March 2024 after leading the counter-terrorism and special investigations teams, including tackling foreign interference and espionage. Unusually, her career with the AFP started in a non-uniformed role as an administrative assistant in Melbourne. Her career included service in the Solomon Islands and the Bali bombing investigation, for which she received the Police Overseas Medal and Operations Medal. This experience brings her to the force's top job at a time when the international policing environment is shifting focus to deal more with threats from terrorism and spying, and less on traditional territory such as drugs, one observer believed. 'The AFP's remit, experience and capabilities have changed dramatically over the years. We now police in an ever-changing and ever-challenging environment,' Ms Barrett said. 'But despite these challenges, the AFP's agility and innovation has ensured that we are a constant and dependable source of protection for Australians and Australia's way of life.' As if underscoring this, hours after Ms Barrett's elevation was announced, the AFP and ASIO announced they had charged a Chinese woman in Canberra with reckless foreign interference. Police alleged the woman was tasked by China's Public Security Bureau to covertly gather information about the Canberra branch of Buddhist association Guan Yin Citta. Ms Barrett also pledged to be a champion for the AFP members, whose dedication and selflessness she said made her proud every day. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley and shadow Home Affairs minister Andrew Hastie jointly congratulated Ms Barrett on her appointment, saying she was 'well-equipped to lead the AFP in its important work in defending Australia's national security'. They thanked Mr Kershaw for having 'tirelessly served' the Australian community for three decades and wished him the best for his future endeavours.
Perth Now
4 hours ago
- Perth Now
Chinese national charged over 'intelligence gathering'
A Chinese national is accused of reckless foreign interference over alleged covert intelligence gathering on behalf of China's main police agency. The woman was arrested during searches of Canberra homes and appeared in ACT Magistrates Court on Monday, charged with one count of reckless foreign interference, which carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison. It was the first time Australian Federal Police had charged a person with foreign interference that allegedly involved targeting members of the Australian community, AFP assistant commissioner Stephen Nutt said. "Foreign interference is a serious crime that undermines democracy and social cohesion," he said. The AFP alleges the woman, who is also an Australian permanent resident, was tasked by China's Public Security Bureau to covertly gather information about the Canberra branch of the Guan Yin Sita, a Buddhist Association. The woman was arrested during searches on Saturday and electronic devices seized are being forensically examined. The woman, whose name was suppressed in court, was allegedly engaged in activities that supported the intelligence objectives of China's Public Security Bureau. The counter foreign interference task force had launched Operation Autumn Shield in March after receiving information from ASIO, Mr Nutt said. "(Foreign interference) is a crime carried out by or behalf of a foreign principal that involves covert and deceptive conduct or threats of serious harm or menacing demands," he said. Australia was "not immune to foreign interference, and we should not expect that this arrest will prevent further attempts to target our diaspora communities". "At a time of permanent regional contest, offenders will attempt to spy on individuals, groups and institutions in Australia," he said. Police needed "all Australians to be our eyes and ears" and alert authorities if they saw people being targeted. "We will continue to educate, educate the community about what foreign interference is, how communities can protect themselves, and importantly, encourage the public to contact authorities if they believe they are being targeted by those working for foreign principals," Mr Nutt said. ASIO Director-General Mike Burgess said the alleged crime was "an appalling assault on Australian values, freedoms and sovereignty". "In this year's annual threat assessment, I called out these types of activities and put perpetrators on notice by stating, 'we are watching, and we have zero tolerance'," he said. "Anyone who thinks it is acceptable to monitor, intimidate and potentially repatriate members of our diaspora communities should never underestimate our capabilities and resolve." A fact sheet on foreign interference is available in more than 40 languages on the AFP website. It explains what foreign interference is, how it manifests, and what individuals can do if they believe they are being threatened or intimidated by foreign governments. It is the third time a foreign interference offence has been laid in Australia since new laws were introduced by the federal government in 2018. A Victorian man was charged in November 2020, while a NSW man was charged in April 2023.
AU Financial Review
5 hours ago
- AU Financial Review
Anthony Albanese AI Deepfake video scam ad AU First
Anthony Albanese has fronted a new round of deepfake AI videos trying to scam Australians out of their money.
