Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has re-shuffled Australia’s federal police and spy agencies. 

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) has been moved from the Department of Home Affairs to the Attorney-General’s office, while ASIO remains part of Home Affairs. 

The AFP was made part of the home affairs portfolio by Peter Dutton in late 2017, in a move that the Australian Federal Police Association (AFPA) said weakened the integrity of the force.

The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) and the Australian Border Force were moved into home affairs under the previous government too. Reports say they will remain there despite the departmental shake-up. 

The AFPA has this week welcomed the news that AFP will be placed under the attorney-general’s portfolio. 

Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus will take on the role of cabinet secretary. The minister for home affairs is Claire O’Neil, who also holds the cybersecurity portfolio. 

Home Affairs will gain responsibility for natural disaster management, including the National Recovery and Resilience Agency.