The Home Affairs Portfolio brings together the Department of Home Affairs, the Australian Border Force (ABF), the Australian Federal Police (AFP), the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC)*, the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), and the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC), to ensure a safer and more secure Australia.
The Department of Home Affairs includes the entirety of the former Department of Immigration and Border Protection and functions relating to multicultural affairs, emergency management, transport security, transnational serious and organised crime, criminal justice policy, national security and counter-terrorism coordination, cyber policy, and countering foreign interference.
The Portfolio is structured to maintain the statutory independence of Portfolio agencies, while ensuring the external accountability and oversight arrangements are appropriately retained, and our departmental and agency powers are exercised proportionally and lawfully.
The ABF, whilst established within the Department of Home Affairs for budgetary, employment and administrative purposes, is operationally independent. The Home Affairs Portfolio will work with partners to protect the safety, security and national interests of Australia through the strategic alignment of priorities and responsibilities against the many threats to Australia’s national security. The Portfolio will play a strong role in facilitating Australia’s prosperity.
Modern migration and trade settings will ensure that Australia remains economically competitive in an environment of increased global flow of people, goods and information. We will continue to be the trusted global gateway to ensure Australia is prosperous and economically competitive and enjoys a cohesive and united society. The Portfolio brings together the strengths of each individual agency in a synthesis that is stronger than any constituent part could be.
The Portfolio is structured to benefit from the collaboration and alignment of sustained joint-agency effort. Through even closer cooperation and sustained joint activity between our national security and law enforcement agencies, including federal, state and territory government agencies, we will continue to coordinate and drive national efforts against terrorists, criminals and others who wish to do the Australian community harm.
Source: Blueprint-for-Home-Affairs.pdf