Prime Minister Kevin Rudd today announced the appointment of Duncan Lewis AO to the new position of National Security Adviser to the Rudd Government.
The position has been created as the first step in the Rudd Government's new national security structure, and was announced as part of the National Security Statement released in parliament.
The NSA will be the source of advice to the Prime Minister on all policy matters relating to the nation's security, and will oversee the implementation of all national security policy arrangements.
Mr Lewis has a long and distinguished career of public service. He served for more than 30 years as an officer in the Australian Army, including three tours with the SAS.
He was awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross for his services as commanding officer of the SAS Regiment, the Distinguished Service Cross for his command of Australian and New Zealand peacekeeping forces on the border in Timor Leste in 2000, and was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for his service as the inaugural commander of the Special Forces Command.
Mr Lewis retired from the Regular Army in 2005 as a Major General commanding Australian Special Forces and was appointed to the position of First Assistant Secretary of the National Security Division in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.
In October 2005, he was appointed to his current position as Deputy Secretary, Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, with responsibility for coordination policy development, and advice to the Prime Minister on national security, defence and intelligence, domestic security and international relations.
Mr Lewis is the co-chair of the National Counter Terrorism Committee, Chair of the Strategic Maritime Management Committee, Chair of the Strategic Policy Coordination Group and chair of the Australian Government Counter Terrorism Policy Committee.
He is an ex-officio member of the Council of the Order of Australia and the National Australia Day Committee.