Paul O'Sullivan
Australian security intelligence director
| Paul O'Sullivan
| |
|---|---|
| Image | .jpg) Paul O'Sullivan |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Occupation | Diplomat; public servant; intelligence director |
| Known for | Director-General of Security, Australian Security Intelligence Organisation 21 July 2005 – 28 February 2009[1] Senior adviser to John Howard; chief of staff to George Brandis |
| Education | University of Sydney |
| Predecessor | Dennis Richardson |
Paul O'Sullivan led the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) as director-general of security, from 2005 to 2009.[1]
Office held
| Office | Start | End | Predecessor | Successor | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Director-General of Security, Australian Security Intelligence Organisation | 21 July 2005 | 28 February 2009 | Dennis Richardson | David Irvine | [1] |
Education and diplomatic background
Paul O'Sullivan studied history at the University of Sydney and joined the Department of External Affairs in 1971. His pre-ASIO diplomatic career included two postings to Washington, one as deputy chief of mission from 1996 to 1998, and service as ambassador to Germany. Before his intelligence appointment he was senior international affairs adviser to John Howard, attending meetings of the National Security Committee of Cabinet.[2]
ASIO leadership
Paul O'Sullivan succeeded Dennis Richardson as head of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation in July 2005. In announcing his departure in 2009, Attorney-General Robert McClelland credited him with leading the service through rapid growth and improving cooperation with other national-security agencies following the Street Review.[3]
The review examined interoperability between the Australian Federal Police and its security partners. It was conducted by Laurence Street, Martin Brady and Ken Moroney. The appointment announcement described O’Sullivan’s work on cooperation as part of the response to that review.[3]
Return to ministerial politics
In October 2013 George Brandis announced that Paul O'Sullivan would become his chief of staff the following month. Australian Associated Press reported that Brandis presented the appointment as underlining the national-security focus of the Attorney-General’s Department.[4]
A June 2012 Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade announcement named Michael Potts as Paul O'Sullivan’s successor as high commissioner in New Zealand, with the change expected in July. It confirms the later endpoint of the diplomatic posting that followed his Australian Security Intelligence Organisation service.[5]
Diplomatic appointment
Paul O'Sullivan left the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation in 2009 to become Australian high commissioner to New Zealand. He was succeeded by David Irvine, previously director-general of the Australian Secret Intelligence Service.[3]
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, Directors-General of Security, archived 12 February 2010, accessed 8 November 2026.
- ↑ The Age, Howard adviser to head ASIO, 11 July 2005, accessed 8 November 2026.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Sydney Morning Herald, David Irvine named as new ASIO chief, 25 February 2009, accessed 8 November 2026.
- ↑ Australian Associated Press, Former ASIO head to run AG office, SBS News, 17 October 2013, accessed 8 November 2026.
- ↑ Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, High Commissioner to New Zealand, 25 June 2012, accessed 8 November 2026.