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Defence Minister Linda Reynolds has announced a plan to combine the Department of Defence’s intelligence capabilities under a new Defence Intelligence Group (DIG) to ensure the organisation is best positioned to support Australian Defence Force (ADF) operations and take advantage of emerging capabilities.
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The new group will include the Defence Intelligence Organisation (DIO), Australian Geospatial-Intelligence Organisation (AGO), and critical intelligence components from across the ADF as well as the broader department.
Minister for Defence Linda Reynolds said the decision to establish the DIG was a key recommendation from an independent Review of the Defence Intelligence Enterprise.
“Rapid technological change and increasing investment in intelligence means it is more important than ever that our department and military intelligence functions are co-ordinated and aligned across the entire organisation,” Minister Reynolds said.
“Our defence intelligence capability is world-class and informs Australian government decisions on our defence and foreign policy, and military operations.”
Minister Reynolds added, “The independent Review found that stronger co-ordination was required to optimise the Defence intelligence capability and workforce for the future.”
The new structure will align Defence intelligence management with the national intelligence community following the changes made after the 2017 Independent Intelligence Review.
It also mirrors the defence intelligence architecture of other members of the Five Eyes intelligence partnership, which will enable Defence to engage more effectively with allies.
“The establishment of a new Chief of Defence Intelligence supported by a new Intelligence Group will centralise intelligence functions and continue the journey of intelligence reform,” Minister Reynolds added.
”These reforms will reinforce the central role of the intelligence enterprise as a critical capability rather than a strategic enabler.”
The new group will be led by a three-star Chief of Defence Intelligence, with Major General Gavan Reynolds designated as the inaugural Chief, on promotion to Lieutenant General from 1 July.
The Chief of Defence Intelligence will assume a number of responsibilities including the training of the intelligence profession across the ADF and APS workforce, and the management of intelligence capability projects.
These changes support broader Defence reforms by making best use of the intelligence capability and workforce, strengthening accountabilities, and ensuring intelligence is positioned to best support government decision-making and ADF operations into the future.
Stephen Kuper
Steve has an extensive career across government, defence industry and advocacy, having previously worked for cabinet ministers at both Federal and State levels.
