Hi, my name is Hamish Hansford and I first joined the Australian Public service in 2002 as an APS2 and then a Graduate.
Now, 17 years later, I am a Senior Executive at the Department of Home Affairs, looking after the National Security and Law Enforcement Policy Division.
The Home Affairs Portfolio brings together a number of Commonwealth Agencies to ensure a safer and more secure Australia. The Portfolio’s unique capabilities, powers and activities enable us to deliver on the Government’s priorities, and to achieve our overarching and enduring purpose—an Australia that is prosperous, secure and united.
The Department of Home Affairs, as the lead agency in the Portfolio, delivers services to strengthen the cohesiveness of Australian society through a range programs.
Our migration programs manage and assist temporary and permanent migrants and those people participating in humanitarian and refugee programs, and confer Australian citizenship.
We facilitate world class trade through modern and innovative international trading systems to support Australia’s international competitiveness and protect the Australian community, financial sector and critical infrastructure by developing policy to enable the Government to monitor and protect the nation.
The Department of Home Affairs is also responsible for centrally coordinated strategy and policy in relation to domestic and national security arrangements, law enforcement, counter-terrorism and social cohesion.
All this work is to protect the sovereignty of our nation, the integrity of our border and the resilience of our national infrastructure.
Through all that we do we must maintain our focus on what the Australian people expect of us. Our mission is to work together to keep Australia safe and secure, and support a cohesive and united Australia.
Our people are our greatest strength and the single most critical element in achieving our mission. Every staff member within the Home Affairs Portfolio has a role to play as we focus on our purpose to contribute to the prosperity, security and unity of our nation.
