Minister for Home Affairs
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.
Portfolio Media
The 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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The Morrison Government continues to ensure Australia’s border are protected, with Australia’s participation in Operation Redback XV – a week-long Malaysia Coast Guard (MCG) led exercise to strengthen maritime security in our near region – concluding yesterday. Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews said that while Australia’s strong border protection measures had suppressed Australia’s maritime people…
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The Morrison Government is investing more than $8 million in innovative projects designed to improve the skills and availability of cyber security professionals. The eight successful projects funded under round one of the $70 million Cyber Security Skills Partnership Innovation Fund will introduce students to training and career pathways and also create job-ready professionals through…
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The Morrison Government will revolutionise the way Australian agencies investigate and prosecute serious crime, including terrorism, child sexual exploitation and cybercrime following the passage of legislation in the Senate today. Minister for Home Affairs Karen Andrews said the passage of the Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (International Production Orders) Bill 2020 will ensure Australia’s law enforcement agencies…
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A new podcast launched today will provide the Australian community a rare insight into work to prevent and deter child sexual abuse and exploitation, and bring to justice those who commit these horrendous crimes. ‘Closing The Net’, produced by the Australian Federal Police-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE), will educate the Australian community…
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A team of six detector dogs have commenced research trials at Adelaide Airport today to determine the feasibility of training dogs to detect COVID-19. The six dogs include four Australian Border Force (ABF) detector dogs, one South Australian Metropolitan Fire Service (SAMFS) dog and one dog from the University of Adelaide (gifted by the ABF).…
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The Morrison Government continues to take action to dismantle criminal gangs and make our communities safer. The Transport Security Amendment (Serious Crime) Bill, which passed through the Parliament today, will strengthen identity card eligibility for those who work at airports, seaports and offshore facilities. Minister for Home Affairs Karen Andrews welcomed the passage of the…
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We’ve all come to accept stringent security procedures at our airports. We wait in line. We take our belts and shoes off when we’re told to. We know that secure airports are important in the modern world – to protect us from a range of threats. Not just terrorism, but criminal activity like the transportation…
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The Commonwealth Government is providing $146 million for the first phase of a new National Strategy to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse, including nearly $40 million in new funding to the AFP. Prime Minister Scott Morrison today joined Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister and Cabinet Ben Morton and Member for Swan Steve Irons at the…
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More than 220 members of accused mafia, outlaw motorcycle gangs and transnational serious organised criminals have been arrested for serious drug and weapon offences under an historic Australian Federal Police-led operation. Keeping Australians safe is the Morrison Government’s top priority and that’s why we have been giving law enforcement agencies the legislation, tools and resourcing…
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Minister for Home Affairs Karen Andrews today launched a rebooted Airport Watch program at the Gold Coast Airport to coincide with increasing domestic travel and the potential for growth in organised crime and drug trafficking throughout the aviation environment. “With domestic travel likely to continue increasing, the public will continue to play a critical role…
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The Morrison Government is boosting Australia’s Technology Detection Dog program as part of its $59.9 million commitment to the Australian Federal Police (AFP) to protect Australian children from sexual exploitation. Minister for Home Affairs Karen Andrews today visited the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation in Brisbane to announce the $5.7 million boost to the…
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Keeping Australians safe online by eliminating terrorist and violent extremist content from the internet continues to be a key focus of the Morrison Government. Minister for Home Affairs Karen Andrews today joined New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, French President Emmanuel Macron, and more than 50 other government and technology leaders on the second anniversary…
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Joint media release with the Hon. Alex Hawke MP The Morrison Government is building a more secure and resilient Australia with more than $2 billion in investment to bolster national security, improve community safety and further streamline our migration system as part of our plan to secure Australia’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The safety…
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Minister for Home Affairs Karen Andrews and Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme Linda Reynolds say the arrests of six people in relation to alleged fraud against the NDIS shows the Morrison Government’s commitment to protecting the Scheme. Operation Pegasus is a months-long NDIS Fraud Taskforce investigation into an alleged criminal syndicate accused of…
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