The rationale seems to conflate the important intelligence review with an inadequately justified rearrangement of federal government agencies, writes Professor John Blaxland.
For new and untested leaders on the international stage, being seen as a ‘safe pair of hands’ is one of the highest compliments that can be conferred on to them by nervous diplomats.
There has been speculation that Australia’s recent change in prime minister from Tony Abbott to Malcolm Turnbull will mean a shift in Australia’s choice of policy.