COMMITTEES
Senator POLLEY (Tasmania) (16:41): I present the reports of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Law Enforcement on the examination of the 2024-25 annual reports of the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission and the Australian Federal Police. I move: That the Senate take note of the report on the Australian Federal Police annual report 2024-25. I rise as the Chair of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Law Enforcement to present the committee's report examining the Australian Federal Police annual report 2024-25.
I note the retirement of Mr Reece Kershaw APM from the role of AFP commissioner in October 2025. The committee thanks Mr Kershaw for his service to the AFP, including six years as AFP commissioner, and for his assistance to this committee's work over the years. The committee welcomes the appointment of Commissioner Krissy Barrett APM, the first female to be appointed to the position of AFP commissioner.
The committee acknowledges Commissioner Barrett's priorities for the AFP, including futureproofing the workforce, supercharging global operations, defending domestic and regional security, protecting vulnerable communities and investing in technology and capability. The committee looks forward to the AFP achieving this vision under her leadership. Regarding the AFP's annual report for 2024-25, I'm pleased to report that the committee did not identify any major issues of concern.
The AFP met all but one of its performance criteria during the reporting period, and, for the target that was not met, a detailed explanation was provided. As Australia's national policing agency, the AFP defends and protects Australians and Australia's future from domestic and global security threats. Key achievements for 2024-25 included: restraining over $143.6 million in criminal assets; responding to 22,706 incidents at airports; and charging 96 people as a result of child exploitation investigations.
The committee recognises the increasing complexity and long lead times of some AFP investigations which do not fit neatly into an annual reporting period. The inclusion of case studies containing the details of operations is helpful to illustrate this aspect of police work. During the period, Operation Firestorm was established to counter organised cybercriminal groups engaged in large-scale cyber-enabled fraud.
The AFP worked with its Philippines partners to track down a major scam centre which had impacted approximately 5,000 Australians. Operation Kraken focused on disrupting the use of the Ghost platform by organised criminals to import drugs, launder money and commit violent crimes. As of 31 December 2025, through this operation, the AFP executed 99 search warrants, charged 55 offenders with numerous offences, seized firearms and weapons, prevented 50 threats to life, seized 242 kilograms of illicit drugs and $3.7 million in cash, and restrained assets valued at $24.37 million.
The committee wishes to highlight the work of the AFP in delivering the Pacific Police Partnership Program. As of 30 June 2025, approximately 106 AFP members were located across the Pacific and Timor-Leste, working directly with local law enforcement. The AFP plays a vital role in ensuring security throughout the region and reducing the flow of illicit drugs to Australia.
The committee commends the AFP for maintaining strong relationships across the Pacific and with its international partners. Regarding the AFP's countering child exploitation work, the committee recently undertook a site visit to the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation and heard firsthand about the crucial role the AFP plays in protecting children in Australia and around the world.
The committee acknowledges the difficult and important work of the Australian Federal Police in this space. The AFP is focused on establishing the ACT portion of the National Firearms Register, and the AFP is currently in the initial discovery and design phase, which is scheduled to be completed by early 2026. The committee looks forward to the integration of jurisdictions into the central component of the register, which is expected to be ready by the end of 2026.
The AFP's most important asset is its people. They have been progressing several initiatives to improve recruitment and wellbeing, and the AFP's dedicated recruitment efforts are positively impacting the organisation. The AFP has also introduced enhanced paid parental leave provisions for all parents, including expanding paid parental leave to 18 weeks for primary carers and introducing a phased increase to entitlements for secondary carers to enable more AFP members to spend early parenting time with their families.
The committee expects that this will positively impact its workforce. I commended the AFP for continuing to perform well in a very complex operating environment to protect the safety of Australians, and I wish to thank the AFP officers who gave evidence to the committee and also my fellow committee members for their contribution to the committee's important oversight of this role.
I commend the report to the Senate. Question agreed to.