The appointment of women as heads of security and intelligence agencies has been occurring only recently in Australia.
This began in February 2023 with Kerri Hartland being
appointed Director-General of the Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS)
covering foreign intelligence. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Secret_Intelligence_Service
Then in September 2024 with Abigail Bradshaw as
Director-General of the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD)
covering signals intelligence and cybersecurity. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Signals_Directorate
Then October 2025 with Krissy Barrett as Commissioner of
the Australian Federal Police (AFP) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Federal_Police
and lastly the early? December 2025 commencement of Kathy Klugman, in the most senior analysis and coordinating position, Director-General, Australian Office of National Intelligence (ONI) https://www.oni.gov.au/leadership-team
Australia has subsequently suffered its worst intelligence failure with the killing by Islamist extremists of 15 Jewish people at Bondi Beach Sydney on December 14, 2025. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_Bondi_Beach_shooting
Any misplaced gender connection can be discounted, as Mr Mike Burgess has held the Director-General, Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) position since September 2019. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Burgess_(intelligence_chief)
Having 3 new bosses in 16 months (Sep 24, Oct 25 and Dec 25) may equal organisational and inter-organisational disruption, especially if male deputies, unwilling to accept the rapid influx of women, decide to quit. We'll never know, because these are largely secret organisations. Maybe Albanese might permit a less than a year inquiry. Ms Klugman might be well placed to talk to many senior security leaders and to Jewish leaders.
1 comment:
19 hours after I wrote my article above the Albanese Government acted, with:
"Anthony Albanese announces terms for Richardson review of Bondi terrorist attack" on Mon 29 Dec 2025 at 12:42pm at https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12-29/bondi-breaking-announcement/106184434 :
"Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced the terms for an independent review of the Bondi Beach terror attack, which claimed the lives of 15 people, including a 10-year-old child.
The review, led by Dennis Richardson AC, will review Australia's federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies.
It will assess whether multiple agencies, including the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) and the Australian Federal Police, operated as effectively as possible prior to the attack.
Mr Albanese said his "heart breaks" for the families of those affected.
"Just over two weeks ago, antisemitic terrorists tried to tear our country apart, but our country is stronger than these cowards," he said.
"They went to Bondi Beach to unleash mass murder against our Jewish community. We need to respond with unity and urgency rather than division and delay."
Review to be given 'full access' to materials for Bondi inquiry
The review was slated to be completed and published in April.
Mr Richardson, the former head of ASIO and of the departments of Defence and Foreign Affairs, has led previous reviews into the intelligence community and sections of Home Affairs.
Mr Albanese's announcement followed another meeting of the National Security Committee in Canberra.
"Mr Richardson will assess whether Commonwealth agencies performed to maximum effectiveness," he said.
"He will consider what these agencies knew about the alleged offenders before the attack, the information sharing between Commonwealth agencies and between Commonwealth and state agencies."
The review will also consider what judgements agencies made and whether there were any additional measures that could have prevented the attack.
"Mr Richardson will [have] full access to all material he considers may be relevant to his inquiry," Mr Albanese said.
"Departments and agencies will cooperate fully with the review and provide assistance in the form of documents, data, material and meetings."
He added parliament would resume in 2026 to consider legislation "as soon as possible".
...Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said an independent review would allow for "urgency". (ABC News: Ian Cutmore)
He said an independent review — instead of a royal commission — would allow the government to "deal squarely with the urgency of national security issues".
"We need to have the sort of inquiry that keeps Australians safe, and that does not provide a platform for the worst voices," he said."
Post a Comment