Australia has a new Minister for Cyber Security and has established the position of Special Envoy for Cyber Security and Digital Resilience. 

A cabinet reshuffle unveiled on Sunday has now been formalised with a swearing-in ceremony.

As part of the shakeup, changes have been made to strengthen Australia's cyber security framework.

Tony Burke, previously the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, has been appointed as the new Minister for Cyber Security. Burke will also assume the roles of Minister for Home Affairs, Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, while retaining his position as Minister for the Arts. 

Additionally, Labor MP Andrew Charlton has been appointed as the Special Envoy for Cyber Security and Digital Resilience. 

Charlton will collaborate with Burke and Communications Minister Michelle Rowland to address the evolving landscape of cyber threats and digital resilience. 

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says this new role responds to the need for strategic thinking to navigate technological changes and enhance national security. 

“This is something that requires someone away from the day-to-day activity to give thought to how Australia positions ourselves to not only avoid some of the bad consequences which are there, but also see the positive opportunities which are there as well,” he said.

The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) is being moved from the Home Affairs portfolio to the Attorney-General’s Department, placing ASIO alongside the Australian Federal Police. Despite this shift, cyber security responsibilities will remain under the Home Affairs portfolio.