3 months ago
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Australian Federal Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw is retiring a year early to spend more time with his grandchildren, and will be replaced by the first woman to head the nation’s police force.
Deputy Commissioner Krissy Barrett, who recently oversaw the AFP national security portfolio, will replace Kershaw in October.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese pictured on Monday with Krissy Barrett, who has been announced as the next AFP commissioner, and outgoing commissioner Reece Kershaw.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
Kershaw’s early retirement comes after the police chief faced scrutiny over his handling of the Dural caravan plot in Sydney, which was first described as a terrorist act but was later revealed to be a fake plot.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke announced Kershaw’s departure at a press conference in Canberra on Monday, saying the police commissioner would leave his role on good terms with the government after his six-year tenure.
“Commissioner Kershaw has made an extraordinary contribution to public life, and we are deeply grateful for his service,” Albanese said.“Commissioner Kershaw has been absolutely on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week with his commitment to his fellow Australians.”
Burke said Kershaw was retiring with his head held high to spend more time with family.
“Commissioner Kershaw asked to meet with me with no staff present and in the meeting, to my surprise, he went through ... where he was up to, both with family and grandchildren, and said that he had set October 3 as the date that he was intending to retire,” Burke said.
Former attorney-general Mark Dreyfus extended Kershaw’s term in May last year for two years to October 2026, instead of the usual five-year extension.
Government sources confirmed the two-year extension was because the police commissioner was not committed to a full term, but there was a view that none of the assistant commissioners were ready for the role. Barrett had impressed people with her national security work since then, prompting Kershaw to bring forward his retirement.
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Barrett was the first choice for both Albanese and Burke after Kershaw told them of his resignation.
“[Barrett] is highly renowned for her leadership capability, and I’ve certainly seen that firsthand in the dealings that I’ve had with Ms Barrett, as well as the way that she has represented the AFP on matters before the National Security Committee,” Albanese said.
The first woman to lead the AFP, Barrett has almost 25 years of experience dealing with community policing, counter-terrorism, financial crime and organised crime.
Barrett said she would be committed to championing all staff in the force, as she had started her career in the AFP as an administrative assistant.
“We now police in an ever-changing and ever-challenging environment,” she said. “As commissioner, I will ensure the AFP continues to keep Australians safe.”
Barrett has been recognised for her distinguished service to the Solomon Islands and Bali bombings investigation. She received a Police Overseas Service Medal in 2004 and an Operations Medal in 2005.
More to come
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