Overview

• Krissy Barrett’s first act as commissioner creates National Security Investigations units in Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra to target high‑harm activity below the terrorism threshold.
• The AFP mission now includes the word “defend,” with a stated focus on protecting sovereignty, democracy, social cohesion, the financial system and future prosperity.
• Barrett warns individuals, groups and state actors stoking fear that they are “on notice,” pledging deterrence, disruption and use of overseas partners where Australia lacks direct reach.
• The force will reallocate effort toward networks funding social unrest, including illegal tobacco enterprises, with a known crime figure linked to illicit tobacco listed as a person of interest in the Adass Israel Synagogue arson.
• Barrett indicates the new hate‑crime framework may require changes as threats against politicians roughly double, while the government moves to allow designation of foreign state entities as state sponsors of terrorism in response to IRGC attacks.