Safeguarding Australia Summit

Hamish commenced as the Head of National Security on 17 July 2025. In this role he is responsible for integrating the national security mission across Home Affairs. Hamish also holds the position of the National Counter Foreign Interference Coordinator.

From 2023 to 2025, Hamish was the Deputy Secretary of Cyber and Infrastructure Security Group, bringing together cyber security and technology security policy, critical infrastructure and transport security policy, regulation and partnerships, protective security policy and background checking under the AusCheck scheme.

Prior to this, Hamish was the Inaugural Head of the then Cyber and Infrastructure Security Centre, a role he held from 1 September 2021, leading the principal critical infrastructure security regulatory authority, policy and program functions.

Immediately prior to this role, Hamish undertook a range of Division Head roles including leading the Cyber, Digital and Technology Policy Division, the National Security and Law Enforcement Policy Division as well Deputy Head of the COVID-19 National Coordination Mechanism.

Hamish has held Senior Executive Service positions in the former Department of Immigration and Border Protection and the former Australian Crime Commission.

Hamish has also served in a range of intelligence, policy, planning, and program delivery roles in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Attorney General's Department, the Australian Senate and the former Office of Transport Security.

Hamish started his career in the National Museum of Australia.

Hamish has a Bachelor of Arts (ANU), Bachelor of Asian Studies (ANU and Gadjah Mada University) and an ANZSOG Executive Masters of Public Administration.

Ciara Spencer was appointed as Deputy Secretary Law Enforcement and Domestic Security on 24 July 2025.

As Deputy Secretary Law Enforcement and Domestic Security, Ciara leads the Group responsible for cyber security and technology security policy, countering foreign interference policy and partnerships, national resilience and protective security, criminal justice and law enforcement policy.

Before taking up her current position, Ciara served as First Assistant Secretary, Consular and Crisis Management Division in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. In that role, Ciara led Australia’s response to crises in the Middle East and delivered consular services to support the safety and welfare of Australians overseas.  Ciara has also led the International Security Division and Australia’s international response to defence issues, cyber security, counter terrorism, misinformation, human trafficking and modern slavery.

Ciara has previously held Senior Executive positions in the Department of Home Affairs, the former Department of immigration and Border Protection and the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions. These roles focused on national security, including aviation and maritime security, law enforcement policy, child exploitation, human trafficking and people smuggling. Ciara has also served in a range of policy, legal and program delivery roles at the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet and the Attorney-General’s Department.

Ciara holds a Master of Laws (International Criminal Law Specialisation) from Leiden University in the Netherlands and a Bachelor of Asian Studies (Japanese)/Bachelor of Laws (Honours) from the Australian National University.