Newly-minted Immigration and Home Affairs Secretary Tony Burke is plunging straight into his controversial portfolio, traveling to Indonesia on Monday in preparation for a high-level meeting on international security to counter terrorism.
“I will attend the 10th Indonesia-Australia Ministerial Council on Law and Security (MCM) and co-chair the 5th Sub-Regional Meeting on Counter-Terrorism and Transnational Security in Bali,” Burke said.
“This will include a meeting with Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs, Hadi Tjahjanto.
“Indonesia is one of our most important bilateral partners, including in civil maritime security, people smuggling and countering violent extremism.
“The MCM is a key bilateral engagement of the Home Affairs portfolio with Indonesia.
“It is the primary forum for consultation and priority setting in law enforcement, civil maritime security, counter-terrorism and transnational crime cooperation.”
The trip to Indonesia, which comes on the heels of Governor-General Sam Mostyn pledging him to take on conflict-prone portfolios, marks the central role Indonesia plays in Australia's wider security arrangements.
The huge nation of around 270 million people serves as a launching pad for illegal boat arrivals in Australian waters.
Mr Burke replaced Clare O'Neil, the former home secretary, and Andrew Giles, the former immigration minister, in Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's reshuffle on Sunday.
Ms O'Neil and Mr Giles have faced months of criticism after a series of failures in their portfolios, including the NZYQ High Court ruling that forced the release of detained immigrants, some of whom were alleged to have committed crimes against Australians.
Three illegal boats have also arrived on the Australian mainland since 2022.
Mr Albanese expressed confidence that Mr Burke would “definitely be up to” the task of managing the portfolio charged with Australia's border security and, in part, security.
“What that means in terms of the department is there will be one person who will be responsible for it,” Mr Albanese said on Sunday.
“I think one minister and then two assistants is the right structure.”
Mr Burke will be supported in his role by Kingsford Smith MP Matt Thistlethwaite and Bruce Julian Hill MP.
Liberal senator James Paterson said the reshuffle represented an “admission of failure” by the government on border security and referred to Mr Burke as a “failed immigration minister” during the Rudd-Gillard years.
“Australians know what an absolute wreck it was under this (Rudd-Gillard) government and they're going down that road again,” he told Sky News on Sunday.
“That's how it started last time. They canceled the successful policy of the previous government.
“Boats started arriving again and lo and behold, the detention centers had to be reopened.
“The children were detained. It was an absolute disaster.
“And putting Tony Burke back anywhere near that portfolio would be a shocking signal to people smugglers.”
On Tuesday, Mr Albanese criticized the coalition as a “cheerleader for people smugglers”.
“Tony Burke is someone who has been successful in everything he has done and undertaken,” he said.
“He's already on the ground, he's over there in Indonesia.
“And the only people who are a cheerleader for people smugglers are some members of the coalition who are consistently trying to talk Australia down.”
