November
Albanese dumps merit pledge to tap new Home Affairs chief
Anthony Albanese has rushed through the appointment of a new Home Affairs secretary, breaking a pledge on merit-based selections.
- Tom Burton
- Analysis
- Public service
Government may rue the day Pezzullo was unleashed
Mike Pezzullo knew his days as a federal secretary were numbered when his private texts were published. Unconstrained by official protocols ministers may rue the day they terminated him.
- Tom Burton
Pezzullo sacked after inquiry into text messages
Home Affairs secretary Mike Pezzullo has been removed from one of the most powerful roles in the public service after being found to have breached the code of conduct at least 14 times.
- Tom Burton
Pezzullo sacked; Healius boss exits; Is Goldman wrong?
Read everything that’s happened in the news so far today.
October
- Opinion
- Government Observed
Why cabinet needs the two Mikes – Pezzullo and Burgess
The ASIO chief and his portfolio secretary come from Canberra’s warrior class. Despite any personal failings, their frank and fearless advice is valuable.
- Tom Burton
Mike Pezzullo confidant Scott Briggs vanishes
The funny thing is, Briggs joined DPG Advisory Solutions after his closeness to Scott Morrison and other Coalition figures made his old job untenable.
- Updated
- Myriam Robin
- Opinion
- Public service
Australia needs more public servants like Mike Pezzullo
The tall poppy who fixes government, makes it work and do things it otherwise could not is the natural target for those who want to critique policy, without openly challenging it.
- Robert Potter
September
‘Trail of blood’: inside Michael Pezzullo’s behind-the-scenes world
Neighbours call his home “Southfork”, and just as J.R. schemed his way through Dallas, the top security mandarin put back channels to good use.
- Andrew Tillett
Pezzullo’s fate an ‘urgent matter’: PM
Home Affairs secretary Michael Pezzullo has stood aside while a trove of text messages exchanged with a Liberal Party powerbroker are investigated.
- Andrew Tillett
Michael Pezzullo: the life and genius of a geopolitical savant
The Home Affairs chief may be unusually gifted, but we’re well-primed to think that, given his whole public posture is designed to convey his genius.
- Myriam Robin
Home Affairs boss stands aside for investigation of texts leak
Michael Pezzullo will stand aside from his job as an independent investigation considers leaked text messages he exchanged with a Liberal Party powerbroker.
- Updated
- Tom McIlroy
August
Strong practical help for firms hit by cyberattack
Firms and public agencies hit by cyberattacks are being promised a quick, compassionate and discreet response, aimed at minimising harms, says cyber defence leader, Abigail Bradshaw
- Tom Burton
July
Probe ordered into offshore detention contracts
Former security mandarin Dennis Richardson will scrutinise contracts to operate offshore asylum seeker detention camps after claims of suspect payments.
- Updated
- Andrew Tillett
- Analysis
- Government Observed
Identity reforms open new era of personalised government
The ambitious aim to have a working digital identity system up and running by the middle of next year paves the way for a raft of personalised government services.
- Tom Burton
Meet the air force commander in charge of Australia’s cyber defences
Darren Goldie has begun his role as Australia’s first cyber coordinator by treating the HWL Ebsworth breach like a flood or bushfire emergency.
- Paul Smith
March
- Opinion
- Tech Observed
Optus and Telstra unite in cyber battle
In the aftermath of its massive cyberattack Optus CEO Kelly Bayer Rosmarin cut a lonely figure, but now even Optus’ bitterest rivals are in her corner.
- Paul Smith
‘No victims’ of Optus data hack: CEO
A defiant Kelly Bayer Rosmarin said while Optus made mistakes related to the 2022 hack, no customer has suffered any financial loss from the massive data leak.
- Lucas Baird
Russian hackers will face a more ‘hostile’ Australia: Home Affairs
Home Affairs chief Mike Pezzullo said Russian hackers must be brought to heel, while Telstra’s cyber boss said the Optus hack could have happened to anyone.
- Jessica Sier
Home Affairs to be restructured in response to new threats: O’Neil
The Home Affairs minister has tasked secretary Michael Pezzullo with reorienting the department’s focus towards domestic security challenges.
- Tom McIlroy
December 2022
Inside the Optus hack that woke up Australia
The telco’s CEO, Kelly Bayer Rosmarin, gives her first interview about the cyberattack that caused a political storm and revealed the power of personal data.
- Paul Smith
