The National Security and International Policy Group Executive

National Security Adviser

Mr Duncan Lewis AO DSC CSC was appointed National Security Adviser (NSA) by the Prime Minister on 4 December 2008.

The National Security Adviser (NSA) provides direct advice to the Prime Minister on policy matters relating to the nation’s security, including international policy issues. In carrying out his duties, the NSA engages with the heads of Commonwealth departments and agencies, relevant Commonwealth Ministers, heads of State and Territory departments and agencies, as well as key representatives from business, industry and academia.

In addition to his advisory role, the NSA’s duties include:

  • Developing effective partnerships within the national security community;
  • Improving the national security community’s strategic direction;
  • Supporting whole-of-government security policy development and crisis response;
  • Overseeing the implementation of all national security policy arrangements; and
  • Promoting a cohesive national security culture.

In his role of overseeing and supporting whole-of-government policy development, the NSA chairs, co-chairs or is a member of various national security communities. He is an official attending the National Security Committee of Cabinet, the deputy chair of the Secretaries Committee on National Security, a member of the recently established Border Protection Committee of Cabinet, and the chair of the Border Protection Taskforce.

The NSA is also the chair of the National Intelligence Coordination Committee which is focused on the strategic coordination of national intelligence. The NSA is an Associate Secretary and reports to the Secretary of PM&C.

Deputy National Security Adviser

Dr Margot McCarthy was appointed to the position of Deputy NSA on 29 March 2010.

The Deputy NSA supports the work of the NSA across the breadth of his national security and international policy development, advice and coordination responsibilities. Specifically the Deputy NSA manages the daily business of the National Security and International Policy Group within PM&C, which includes chairing or co-chairing a range of Commonwealth and inter-jurisdictional policy coordination bodies, such as the National Counter-Terrorism Committee, and the Homeland and Border Security Policy Coordination Group, Strategic Policy Coordination Group and the National Crisis Committee.

The Deputy NSA also coordinates the implementation of policy initiatives announced in the National Security Statement and the Homeland and Border Security Review and, with the NSA, works to build an effective national security community.

National Security Chief Information Officer

Ms Rachel Noble was appointed to the position of National Security Chief Information Officer (NSCIO) on 14 April 2009.

The role of the NSCIO is to provide strategic direction and coordination for information sharing across the national security community. This includes harmonising the broad policy, governance and legislative arrangements currently in place so as to improve interoperability and collaboration, and provide oversight of the national security information management environment.

National Security Information Environment Roadmap: 2020 Vision

The National Security Information Environment Roadmap: 2020 Vision provides for the first time a single strategy to overcome the many barriers to information sharing within the Federal national security community. This public document details the journey of change the national security community will take over the next ten years to realise the vision of a secure, coordinated and effective national security information management environment.

Our Vision

NSCIO has developed a Vision for how the national security community can be more cooperative, integrated and effective. This Vision drives our overall approach to delivering capability for national security information management.

Our Strategy and Principles

NSCIO has established a five point strategy to help develop a more coordinated and effective national security information management environment.  This strategy is based on five key priorities: Drive New Governance; Strengthen Trust; Create Pervasive Electronic Connectivity; Build Capability; and Enhance Collaboration.

The National Security and International Policy Group

The National Security and International Policy Group provides advice on Australia’s foreign, trade and treaty matters, defence, intelligence, non-proliferation, counter-terrorism, law enforcement, border security and emergency management matters; coordinates security-related science and technology research matters; and plays a coordinating leadership role in the development of integrated, whole-of-government national security policy.

The National Security and International Policy Group comprises three divisions:

  • The International Division provides advice, coordination and leadership on Australia’s foreign, trade, aid and treaty matters and priorities, including bilateral relations, relationships with regional and international organisations, free trade negotiations and whole-of-government priorities for the overseas aid program. It also incorporates the International Strategy Unit, which focuses on developing innovative and forward-looking advice on policy challenges in the medium to long term across the foreign and international security domains.
  • The Homeland and Border Security Division provides advice, coordination and leadership on integrated, whole-of-government policy matters, priorities and strategy in the areas of critical infrastructure protection, e-security, non-proliferation, counter-terrorism, law enforcement, border security and emergency management issues.
  • The Defence, Intelligence and Research Coordination Division provides advice, coordination and leadership on integrated, whole-of-government policy matters, priorities and strategy in the areas of defence, intelligence coordination and cooperation matters, and national security, science and innovation policy and programs.

National Security Science and Innovation Programs

The National Security Science and Technology (NSST) Branch within the Defence, Intelligence and Research Coordination Division manages national security science and innovation programs. More information on the Research Support for National Security program is available.

Key Contacts

  • Mr Duncan Lewis – National Security Adviser
  • Dr Margot McCarthy – Deputy National Security Adviser
  • Ms Rachel Noble – National Security Chief Information Officer
  • Mr Patrick Suckling – First Assistant Secretary International Division
  • Mr Tony Sheehan – First Assistant Secretary Homeland and Border Security Division
  • Mr Michael Shoebridge – First Assistant Secretary Defence, Intelligence and Research Coordination Division

Resources and Links

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Last Updated: 7 July 2010