25 February 2009
Director-General of the Australian Secret Intelligence Service
The Attorney-General has today announced that Mr David Irvine AO has been appointed to the position of the Director-General of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) effective from the end of March 2009.
Mr Irvine will replace Mr Paul O’Sullivan who will shortly take up the position of Australian High Commissioner to New Zealand.
I congratulate Mr Irvine on his appointment.
Mr Irvine has been the Director-General of the Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS) since 2003. Mr Irvine has shown outstanding leadership of ASIS during a very challenging period.
As a career diplomat, Mr Irvine has served overseas as Australia’s Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China, High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea and positions in Rome and Jakarta.
Mr Steven Robinson, a long standing senior officer in the Foreign Affairs portfolio, has been appointed to act as Director-General of ASIS from 27 March 2009, pending a decision by the Government on the appointment of a new Director-General.
Media inquiries: Mr Smith's office 02 6277 7500 - Departmental Media Liaison 02 6261 1555