Latest news with #ReeceKershaw
SBS Australia
04-08-2025
- Politics
- SBS Australia
Who is Krissy Barrett, Australia's first female federal police commissioner?
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced Australia's new federal police commissioner, a role "critical" to the country's security. Krissy Barrett is the first woman to lead the Australian Federal Police (AFP), the national policing agency that investigates organised crimes, terrorism and foreign threats. In accepting the five-year term, Barrett will replace outgoing AFP commissioner Reece Kershaw in October. "I promise I will be your champion. I promise I will do this uniform proud for you. And to every Australian, I will be devoted to protecting you and our way of life, and I commit to working as hard as I can every single day, like every AFP commissioner before me." — Krissy Barrett, incoming AFP commissioner. 'Historic appointment' Barrett will become the ninth AFP commissioner after a 25-year career in law enforcement that has included leadership in the Solomon Islands and through the Bali bombings investigation. Barrett started her career with the AFP as an administrative assistant in its Melbourne office before moving up the ranks. She has expertise in community policing and operations, counter terrorism first response, serious financial crime, and transnational serious and organised crime. In her most recent position as a deputy commissioner with the AFP, Barrett has managed the National Security portfolio. Barrett was recognised for her leadership and contribution with a Police Overseas Service Medal in 2004 and an Operations Medal in 2005. "I never imagined that one day I would be leading this very fine organisation," she said. Albanese said there is "no greater honour" than to hold such a position. "Today's announcement is a historic appointment for the Australian government and for the AFP, with Ms Barrett becoming the first woman to hold the position of commissioner," he told reporters in Canberra. "The role of the AFP is critical to keeping our nation safe. "There is no greater honour than wearing the uniform of those who serve and protect Australians." Kershaw will have been in the role for six years when he steps down in October. He said earlier he is leaving the role a year early after saying the job had taken a toll on his family life. "As you'd appreciate, it takes its toll on the family life. Being a grandfather has changed me dramatically, and I need to be there for my family. "I am very grateful and privileged to have been able to serve the community." — Additional reporting by the Australian Associated Press.
News.com.au
04-08-2025
- Politics
- News.com.au
AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw resigns, to be replaced by Krissy Barrett
Australian Federal Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw will retire in October, ending a near six-year run as the country's top police officer. Anthony Albanese on Monday thanked Mr Kershaw for his long service and named Deputy Commissioner Krissy Barrett as his successor. Mr Barrett will be the first female to lead the AFP. 'Reece, you have achieved an enormous amount for our nation and I hope you feel incredibly proud,' the Prime Minister told reporters at Parliament House, flanked by Mr Kershaw, Ms Barrett and Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke. 'We certainly wish you all the best as you get to spend precious time with your family.' He said the outgoing commissioner 'has made an extraordinary contribution to public life, and we are deeply grateful for his service'. Mr Albanese also said he and Mr Kershaw had developed a strong 'personal relationship' forged by 'events … we would rather not have to deal with'. 'Commissioner Kershaw has been absolutely on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week with his commitment to his fellow Australians,' he said. On Ms Barrett, he called her the 'obvious choice' to fill Mr Kershaw's shoes. 'Krissy has expertise in community policing and operations, counter-terrorism first response, serious financial crime, and transnational, serious and organised Crime,' Mr Albanese said. 'In her most recent position as deputy commissioner with the AFP, Ms Barrett has managed the National Security portfolio. 'She is highly renowned for her leadership capability, and I've certainly seen that first-hand in the dealings that I've had with Ms Barrett, as well as the way that she has represented the AFP on matters before the National Security Committee.' Ms Barrett thanked Mr Albanese and Mr Burke for her appointment, calling it a 'great honour'. 'I am truly humbled to serve as the ninth nommissioner of the Australian Federal Police,' she said. 'I first started my career with the AFP as a 21-year-old administrative assistant down in our Melbourne office, and I never imagined that, one day, I would be leading this very fine organisation, which now has a workforce of over 8000 people and is posted in more than 30 countries across the world.' She holds more than 25 years experience.
News.com.au
04-08-2025
- Politics
- News.com.au
Anthony Albanese announces AFP's first female commissioner
Anthony Albanese has appointed the top female cop who revealed to Australia that the Dural caravan plot was a 'criminal con job' to lead the Australian Federal Police. Revealing for the first time that AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw will resign, the government has confirmed it's known for weeks that he was planning to retire. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the changes today at a press conference in Canberra, revealing that 20-year policing veteran Krissy Barrett was the 'obvious choice' for the role. 'Krissy Barrett brings more than 20 years of law enforcement experience to the position of AFP Commissioner,'' Mr Albanese said. 'Krissy has expertise in community policing and operations counter terrorism, first response, serious financial crime and transnational serious and organised crime in her most recent position as a Deputy Commissioner with the AFP, Ms Barrett has managed the national security portfolio. 'She is highly renowned for her leadership capability, and I've certainly seen that first hand in the dealings I've had with Ms Barrett, as well as the way that she has represented the AFP on matters before the National Security Committee for her distinguished service to the sollies and the Bali bombings investigation.' reported last week that the future of the Australian Federal Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw was uncertain after speculation within the rank and file that he was planning to leave. The straight-shooting chief of police would not confirm last week that he planned to give four weeks' notice. The AFP gave a statement saying: 'Commissioner Kershaw has not submitted his resignation and the AFP has no further comment at this stage.' Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke revealed in the press conference that he first learned Mr Kershaw planned to resign last month but it was kept secret until now. 'A couple of weeks ago, Commissioner Kershaw asked to meet with me with no staff present,'' Mr Burke said. 'And, in the meeting, to my surprise, he went through – as he may say a bit later – where he was up to, both with family and grandchildren, and said that he had set October 3 as the date that he was intending to retire. 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 for the government.' Commissioner Kershaw said he was looking forward to spending more time with his family and grandchildren. Commissioner Kershaw was besieged by intense political pressure in recent months over his handling of the January 19 Dural caravan terror saga, with some accusing him of stonewalling and contributing to a public over-reaction to what was later found to be a bogus terror plot. Commissioner Kershaw refused to confirm when Mr Albanese was briefed on the alleged plan to use a caravan in a terrorist act targeting Sydney's Jewish community. Commissioner Kershaw told a Senate committee in February that providing further details could compromise operational integrity: 'I will not provide updates in public forums.' 'Details provided, whether it seems innocuous or not, can have an impact on investigations,' he said. The opposition seized on Kershaw's silence, suggesting the Albanese government may have delayed disclosure for political reasons. 'This is looking more and more like a political cover-up,' former opposition leader Peter Dutton said, calling for an independent inquiry. 'It is inconceivable that the Prime Minister was not briefed on a matter of this gravity at the earliest opportunity.' Commissioner Kershaw has also faced criticism for inconsistencies in briefing protocols. Liberal Senator James Paterson questioned why ministers were informed immediately in previous security incidents but not in this case. 'The public deserves transparency and the reassurance that our security agencies are acting without fear or favour,' he said. Commissioner Kershaw declined to respond directly, saying only, 'I briefed ministers at the appropriate time … I'm not going to speculate – it's not helpful to our investigation.' The pressure intensified after AFP Deputy Commissioner Krissy Barrett confirmed in March that the caravan plot had been 'a criminal con job' rather than a legitimate terrorist threat. Questions were raised about the AFP and its inaction regarding the public alarm over the alleged threat, which went unchecked for weeks.
ABC News
04-08-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
Australian Federal Police commissioner Reece Kershaw resigns early
Australian Federal Police commissioner Reece Kershaw will leave his role more than a year early, with the prime minister confirming he will be replaced by Krissy Barrett, who will be the first woman to lead the AFP. The federal government extended commissioner Kershaw's appointment in May last year, which would have seen him remain Australia's top cop until October 2026. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese thanked Mr Kershaw for his service. "Reece, you have achieved an enormous amount for our nation. And I hope you feel incredibly proud," he said. The prime minister welcomed Ms Barrett to the role, noting her experience in counter-terrorism and her leadership in the Solomons and through the Bali bombings investigation. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said Mr Kershaw flagged his desire to retire a few weeks ago, adding "he leaves with his head held high". Commissioner Kershaw has led the AFP since the Coalition appointed him in 2019. Then-attorney-general Mark Dreyfus last year extended his contract for two years. When his contract was extended, the AFP listed countering child exploitation as a key priority for the former child protection investigator. It also praised Commissioner Kershaw for having implemented strategies to dismantle organised crime and drug seizures. Commissioner Kershaw's time at the head of the AFP has not been without controversy, including his handling of the Dural caravan saga, which later emerged as a fake terror plot. In 2023, he rubbished claims he should have declared a conflict of interest over his friendship with a senior PricewaterhouseCoopers partner with whom he discussed a contract for the consulting firm. Text exchanges released under Freedom of Information revealed Commissioner Kershaw and PwC partner Mick Fuller, a former NSW Police commissioner, had more extensive interactions than Commissioner Kershaw had previously told parliament. In July, Mr Burke said Commissioner Kershaw retained the "full confidence" of the government, despite accusations about a racist culture within a police force he once led. Commissioner Kershaw led the NT Police from 2014 until he was appointed to lead the federal police in October 2019. He left the force just weeks before the death of NT man Kumanjayi Walker. Coroner Elisabeth Armitage's findings into his death, which were released last month, found racism was widespread within the NT Police force. She described the force as "an organisation with hallmarks of institutional racism" and that there was "clear evidence of entrenched, systemic and structural racism within the NT Police". At the time, ABC News contacted the AFP to ask if Commissioner Kershaw had read the findings and if he had any response to the allegations against the police force he once led. An AFP spokesperson said it would be "inappropriate for Commissioner Kershaw to provide commentary on this matter".
Herald Sun
01-08-2025
- Politics
- Herald Sun
AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw mum on resignation rumours after Dural caravan controversy
Don't miss out on the headlines from National. Followed categories will be added to My News. The future of the Australian Federal Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw is uncertain after speculation within the rank and file that he is planning to leave. The straight-shooting chief of police would not confirm last night that he planned to give four weeks' notice. The AFP gave a statement saying: 'Commissioner Kershaw has not submitted his resignation and the AFP has no further comment at this stage.' Commissioner Kershaw was besieged by intense political pressure in recent months over his handling of the January 19 Dural caravan terror saga, with some accusing him of stonewalling and contributing to a public overreaction to what was later found to be a bogus terror plot. Commissioner Kershaw refused to confirm when Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was briefed on the alleged plan to use a caravan in a terrorist act targeting Sydney's Jewish community. Commissioner Kershaw told a Senate committee in February that providing further details could compromise operational integrity: 'I will not provide updates in public forums.' 'Details provided, whether it seems innocuous or not, can have an impact on investigations,' he said. CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA – NewsWire Photos – February 6, 2025: Australian Federal Police Commissioner, Reece Kershaw appears before a parliamentary joint committee on law enforcement hearing into the AFP's annual report at Parliament House in Canberra NewsWire / Martin Ollman The opposition seized on Kershaw's silence, suggesting the Albanese government may have delayed disclosure for political reasons. 'This is looking more and more like a political cover-up,' former opposition leader Peter Dutton said, calling for an independent inquiry. 'It is inconceivable that the Prime Minister was not briefed on a matter of this gravity at the earliest opportunity.' Commissioner Kershaw has also faced criticism for inconsistencies in briefing protocols. Liberal Senator James Paterson questioned why ministers were informed immediately in previous security incidents but not in this case. 'The public deserves transparency and the reassurance that our security agencies are acting without fear or favour,' he said. Commissioner Kershaw declined to respond directly, saying only, 'I briefed ministers at the appropriate time … I'm not going to speculate – it's not helpful to our investigation.' The pressure intensified after AFP Deputy Commissioner Krissy Barrett confirmed in March that the caravan plot had been 'a criminal con job' rather than a legitimate terrorist threat. Questions were raised about the AFP and its inaction regarding the public alarm over the alleged threat, which went unchecked for weeks. More to come … Originally published as AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw mum on resignation rumours after Dural caravan controversy
