In March 2021, Karen was elevated to the Home Affairs portfolio in the Morrison Government. The Home Affairs department works together with the Australian Federal Police, Australian Border Force, Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission and the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre, to keep Australia safe.
Prior to that, Karen put Australian manufacturing back on the map as the Minister for Industry, Science and Technology. Her achievements in this portfolio included the $1.5 billion Modern Manufacturing Strategy, as well as the $160 million Manufacturing Modernisation Fund. She also guided the Australian Space Agency through its highly successful first year, and towards a goal of tripling the size of the sector to $12 billion and creating 20,000 new jobs by 2030.
To submit a query or comment regarding the Home Affairs portfolio, visit the Ministerial website.
The national Indigenous Justice Research Program (IJRP) has been established today as part of the Morrison Government’s commitment to the National Agreement on Closing the Gap. The IJRP will fund academic research relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander criminal justice and aim to reduce the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in…
DetailsThe Morrison Government is taking action to protect the community and economy from ransomware attacks, announcing new criminal offences, tougher penalties and a mandatory reporting regime as part of a new and comprehensive Ransomware Action Plan. Minister for Home Affairs Karen Andrews said individuals, businesses, and critical infrastructure across Australia will be better protected as…
DetailsThe sentencing of three men in New South Wales Courts yesterday for separate terrorism offences demonstrate the ongoing need to keep Australians safe from those who would do us harm. Minister for Home Affairs Karen Andrews said it showed that terrorism was an enduring threat to Australians and our way of life, and that law…
DetailsThe Morrison and Marshall Governments have taken a significant step to expand the National Cooperative Scheme on Unexplained Wealth, with South Australia signing on as a member of the scheme. Minister for Home Affairs Karen Andrews said the scheme enhances the ability of law enforcement agencies to trace, identify and seize assets that cannot be…
DetailsThe Australian and Papua New Guinean (PNG) Governments have agreed to finalise the Regional Resettlement Arrangement (RRA) at the end of 2021, realising a long shared objective of the PNG and Australian Governments. The RRA, agreed by both countries on 19 July 2013, authorises regional processing in Papua New Guinea of people who have attempted…
DetailsJoint media statement with the Hon. Scott Morrison MP, the Hon. Barnaby Joyce MP, Senator the Hon. Marise Payne, the Hon. Greg Hunt MP, the Hon Dan Tehan MP, the Hon. Stuart Robert MP Australia is ready to take its next steps to safely reopen to the world, with changes coming to the international border.…
DetailsThe Australian and Nauruan Governments have today signed a memorandum of understanding to establish an enduring regional processing capability in Nauru. Regional processing is a key pillar of the Australian Government’s strong border protection policies. Under Operation Sovereign Borders, people who attempt to travel to Australia illegally by boat are turned back, or transferred to…
DetailsThe Morrison Government’s strong commitment to protecting Australians living with a disability has been underlined, with the arrest of man for allegedly defrauding the NDIS of more than $120,000. The Australian Federal Police executed a search warrant at a western Sydney property on Tuesday in relation to an investigation by the NDIS Fraud Taskforce. A…
DetailsThe Morrison Government has taken the next step in preparation for reopening Australia to international travel at scale, with the appointment of Accenture to deliver the Digital Passenger Declaration (DPD). The DPD will replace the physical incoming passenger card and the COVID-19 Australian Travel Declaration web form, capturing essential information including passengers’ vaccination status up…
DetailsThe sentencing of three men today in the County Court of Victoria for terrorism offences highlights the ongoing need to remain vigilant in the face of threats to our community. On 20 November 2018 the men were arrested and charged by Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team for planning to undertake a terrorist attack in Melbourne.…
DetailsThe Parliament has today passed legislation that will ensure our national security agencies continue to have the powers they need to combat current and emerging threats to national security. The Comprehensive Review of the Legal Framework of the National Intelligence Community (the Richardson Review) made clear that the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979 (TIA…
DetailsLegislation passed today will significantly boost the capacity of our law enforcement agencies to identify and disrupt serious criminal activity occurring online, and keep Australians safe. The Surveillance Legislation Amendment (Identify and Disrupt) Bill 2020 introduces three new powers for the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission to modify and delete data…
DetailsThe Morrison Government has today closed a loophole allowing serious criminals to use our airports, seaports and offshore facilities to import illicit goods, with changes to the Transport Security Legislation Amendment (Serious Crime) Regulations 2021 coming into force. Minister for Home Affairs Karen Andrews said new eligibility criteria for people holding aviation or maritime security…
DetailsThe Morrison Government continues to focus on the protection of women and children from people smugglers and human traffickers, with World Day Against Trafficking in Persons 2021 marking another successful year of combatting this despicable crime. Minister for Home Affairs Karen Andrews said Australia would continue to bring charges against people smugglers and human traffickers,…
DetailsThe Australian Government joins international partners in expressing serious concerns about malicious cyber activities by China’s Ministry of State Security. In consultation with our partners, the Australian Government has determined that China’s Ministry of State Security exploited vulnerabilities in the Microsoft Exchange software to affect thousands of computers and networks worldwide, including in Australia. These…
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