The director-general of security is the executive officer of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), Australia's national security agency. The director-general, through ASIO, has overall responsibility for the protection of the country and its citizens from espionage, sabotage (especially sabotage of critical infrastructure), politically motivated violence, attacks on the Australian defence system, terrorism and acts of foreign interference.
The director-general is assisted by two deputy directors-general, although only one of the former deputies, David Fricker, has been publicly identified. David Fricker left ASIO in 2011.The Australian, 23 December 2011, From ASIO to archives The director-general is subject to the directions of the attorney-general, although convention allows the director-general direct access to the prime minister. The director-general of security is often regarded as Australia's 'top spy', even though they may not have been previously engaged in intelligence upon appointment.Howard adviser lands top spy job, The Sydney Morning Herald, 10 July 2005 The incumbent director-general is Mike Burgess, appointed on 16 September 2019.
The director-general is appointed by the governor-general on the advice of the prime minister and holds office under the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1979.AUSTRALIAN SECURITY INTELLIGENCE ORGANISATION ACT 1979 - SECT 7 The normal term of appointment is limited to seven years, although the director-general is eligible for reappointment.AUSTRALIAN SECURITY INTELLIGENCE ORGANISATION ACT 1979 - SECT 9
Directors-general of security Tenure Name 1949–1950 Justice Sir Geoffrey Reed 1950–1970 Brigadier Sir Charles Spry, 1970–1975 Peter Barbour 1975–1976 Frank Mahony, 1976–1981 Justice Sir Edward Woodward, 1981–1985 Harvey Barnett, 1985–1988 Alan Wrigley, 1988–1992 John Moten 1992–1996 David Sadleir, 1996–2005 Dennis Richardson, 2005–2009 Paul O'Sullivan, 2009–2014 David Irvine, 2014–2019 Major General Duncan Lewis, 2019–present Mike Burgess
See also William Simpson – Director-General of Security in Australia from 1942 to 1945
References
External links
List of directors-general of security on the ASIO website