Attorney-General's Department secretary Chris Moraitis will take up a role at the new office tasked with investigating the Brereton report revelations, further fueling rumours of a major upcoming reshuffle.
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Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton announced on Wednesday afternoon Mr Moraitis would take up the role of Director-General of the Office of the Special Investigator.
Mr Dutton said his work in national security legislation reform made Mr Moraitis a great candidate for the oversight position.
"Mr Moraitis is a highly regarded public servant with significant experience in complex policy and legal matters," Mr Dutton said.
"He will provide strategic oversight and leadership to the operations of the Office of the Special Investigator."
Mr Moraitis will vacate his role as department secretary after holding onto the position since September 2014.
Attorney-General Christian Porter said he wished him well in the challenging new role.
"I thank Mr Moraitis for the support he has provided me since I was appointed Attorney-General in December 2017 and for his very significant and much appreciated contribution to the government," Mr Porter said.
"This period has been particularly intensive with major government reforms and, since the last election, adding industrial relations to the department's functions.
"I wish Mr Moraitis every success in his new role."
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The announcement marks the first major change to the senior bureaucracy since Prime Minister Scott Morrison's secretary reshuffle late last year, which saw five department heads lose their positions.
Mr Dutton also announced the role of Special Investigator will be taken up by former Victorian Supreme Court Justice Mark Weinberg with former Queensland Police Deputy Commissioner Ross Barnett in a supporting role as the investigations director.
"The task for these eminent appointees will be challenging and as the Prime Minister has noted, difficult for Australia," Mr Dutton said.
"They bring a wealth of experience to the very important work this office will do. Their combined wealth of experience will serve the office well in undertaking the significant task ahead."
It's expected the office's work looking into the report's finding will begin from January 4, 2021.
Sarah Basford Canales
I'm a federal politics and public sector reporter with an interest in national security, integrity and regulation. Contact me with general tips and thoughts at sarah.basfordcanales@canberratimes.com.au or confidential tips to sbasfordcanales@protonmail.com.
I'm a federal politics and public sector reporter with an interest in national security, integrity and regulation. Contact me with general tips and thoughts at sarah.basfordcanales@canberratimes.com.au or confidential tips to sbasfordcanales@protonmail.com.
