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ABOUT THE PORTFOLIO

Department of Home Affairs, Australian Transaction Report and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC), Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), Australian Federal Police (AFP), Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC), and Australian Border Force (ABF).
The Home Affairs Portfolio integrates Australia's federal law enforcement, national and transport security, criminal justice, emergency management, multicultural affairs, immigration and border-related functions. The Portfolio brings together the capabilities of individual agencies to create a safe, Prosperous, Secure and United Australia through coordinated strategic policy, planning and sustained joint effort.

The integrated structure of the Portfolio enables coordinated and effective responses to increasingly complex national security challenges, and supports an all-hazards preparedness capability. It enhances our ability to mobilise our workforce, provide surge capacity across agencies, share platforms and break down the common silos that can hinder our ability to rapidly respond. This allows us to combat threats to national security, modernise trade and travel, and build resilience to ensure continued delivery of critical services that everyday Australians rely on.

The Portfolio’s structure also ensures that departmental and agency powers are exercised consistently and lawfully with appropriate external accountability and oversight arrangements, while maintaining the statutory independence of Portfolio agencies. Independent entities under the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (PGPA Act) produce individual annual reports. This includes the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, the Australian Security and Intelligence Organisation, the Australian Federal Police and the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre. The Australian Border Force’s (ABF) performance for 2019–20 is acquitted within the Department of Home Affairs 2019–20 Annual Report.

Ministerial responsibilities from 1 July 2019–30 June 2020

As at 1 July 2019:

  • The Hon Peter Dutton MP was Minister for Home Affairs
  • The Hon David Littleproud MP was Minister for Water Resources, Drought, Rural Finance, Natural Disaster and Emergency Management
  • The Hon David Coleman MP was Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs
  • The Hon Jason Wood MP was Assistant Minister for Customs, Community Safety and Multicultural Affairs.

Changes in ministerial responsibilities during the reporting period

On 13 December 2019, the Hon Alan Tudge MP was appointed as acting Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs. Minister Tudge also remains the Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure.

On 6 February 2020, the Hon David Littleproud MP was sworn in as the Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management.

Visit

https://www.transparency.gov.au/annual-reports/department-home-affairs/reporting-year/2019-20-32