APPOINTMENT OF DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF SECURITY

The Governor General has accepted the Government’s recommendation to appoint Mr Mike Burgess to lead the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) as Director-General of Security.

 

Mr Burgess is currently Director-General of the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD), where he leads work across the spectrum of operations required of a contemporary signals intelligence and security agency, including foreign intelligence, cyber security and offensive operations in support of the Australian Government and Australian Defence Forces.

 

Mr Burgess has significant experience across intelligence and cyber security having previously served as a member of the Federal Government’s Naval Shipbuilding Advisory Board, Deputy Director for Cyber and Information Security at the Defence Signals Directorate (DSD) and as Chief Information Security Officer at Telstra.

 

He brings a wealth of knowledge and understanding of Australia’s national information, intelligence and security landscape gained through many years of experience spanning public service and private industry.

 

ASIO plays a critical role in protecting Australians from security threats including foreign interference and terrorism.

 

We congratulate Mr Burgess on his appointment to this vital role at a time when Australia faces an unprecedented level of complex emerging threats at home and abroad.

 

The Government would like to thank and congratulate the outgoing Director-General, Mr Duncan Lewis AO DSC CSC for his distinguished career dedicated to protecting Australians and their interests at home and abroad. In addition to his leadership at ASIO, Mr Lewis has served in senior military and civilian roles including commanding Australian Special Forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, Secretary of the Department of Defence and as Australia’s Ambassador to Belgium, Luxembourg, The European Union and NATO.

 

Mr Burgess will assume the role from Mr Lewis on September 15, 2019.

 

We wish Mr Lewis and his family every success in their future endeavours.