Australia PM's Adviser Poised for Top National Security Post

Kathy Klugman, a leading foreign affairs adviser to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, is set to become the first woman to lead one of Australia's top intelligence agencies.

Ms Klugman has been appointed director-general to the Office of National Intelligence, the agency responsible for advising the PM and the federal government on matters of national security and intelligence.

She takes over the role from Andrew Shearer, who has served in the role since 2020 and has been tapped as Australia's next ambassador to Japan.

In a statement today, Acting Prime Minister Richard Marles said the incoming director-general had played a crucial role in foreign policy in recent years.

He said: "Ms Klugman has had a distinguished career in the Australian Public Service holding senior positions in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. She has had a particular focus on the Indo-Pacific region and served as high commissioner to Sri Lanka."

Ms Klugman has previously been the prime minster's principal adviser on international affairs since Labor was elected in 2022 and has been frequently seen alongside the PM during overseas visits.