London: Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has signalled Australia's major security agencies could be brought together as part of a new, super-ministry modelled on the system in Britain.
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The Prime Minister recently received a review of the intelligence and security agencies by former official Michael L'Estrange and, while some sections of the public service - and indeed, some ministers - may fight the plan, Mr Turnbull appears to be leaning towards the creation of a new Home Office.
The new agency would likely include ASIO, which would come out of Attorney-General George Brandis' portfolio, the federal police, who would be moved from Justice Minister Michael Keenan's portfolio, and Border Force.
Immigration Minister Peter Dutton is the hot tip to take charge of the new agency.
Speaking at a joint news conference with British Prime Minister Theresa May, Mr Turnbull said "we are always interested in learning about the British experience".
"The UK has an integrated Home Office and in fact, Theresa was the Home Secretary and they have all their domestic security agencies, MI5, police and border protection, as all part of that," he said.
"We have to be dynamic, agile, constantly asking can we improve the way our agencies are keeping Australians safe and will always continue to seek to improve them."
"We will always seek to improve our national security arrangements, this is no place for 'set and forget."
The idea of a Home Office has gained traction, some within the government are pushing back and arguing Australia's current arrangements are working well, while Britain has experienced several serious terrorist attacks in recent months.
Such a major change in the arrangements that govern Australia's security agencies would likely be the trigger for a wider reshuffle - however, Mr Turnbull is understood to be leaning towards the end of the year before making any major changes to his front bench.
Putting Mr Dutton in charge of the portfolio would also help answer some internal conservative critics, who believe they don't have enough power or influence in the government.
Mr Turnbull also highlighted his government's cyber security strategy and recent domestic law changes that allow terrorists to be kept in jail after their sentence expires as evidence of the government's recent action and commitment to tackling terrorism.
He also pointed to the push at the G20 to tighten the rules on encrypted messaging services such as WhatsApp so they have to help facilitate access to terrorists' using the platform to plot attacks.
On North Korea, the two leaders were united in their condemnation of that rogue state's recent missile tests, with Mrs May describing it as a "flagrant breach" of UN resolutions.
Mr Turnbull said that "we don't want to see North Korea with nuclear weapons" and again called on China to exert its influence on the North Korean regime.
Neither leader would say what, exactly, represented a "red line" for them in terms of North Korea's growing strike capacity.
Earlier, Mr Turnbull became emotional as he spoke about meeting police officers who had attempted to save Australian victim Sara Zelenak, saying he had found it hard not to "burst into tears" as they recounted what had happened.
"They were very brave men and women and I just want to thank them on behalf of all Australians," he said. "It was a very moving visit ... I want to say how much we admire the outstanding response of your police arriving on the scene so quickly.
"They ran towards danger while others were fleeing it."
The pair had earlier made a low-key visit to the Borough Market talking to stall holders about the devastating attack that left eight people dead and wounded almost 50.
The two prime ministers also spoke about the resilience of the community in the face of the terror threat, and said Britain and Australia would continue to fight terrorism at home and in the Middle East.
Mrs May spoke about Australian nurse Kirsty Boden who was one of nine who lost her life in the Borough Market attack, praising her for having "rushed to the scene".
"They didn't think of themselves but went to help those who they saw in need."
Mrs May said that Britain was going "to stand up against these terrorists".
