AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw mum on resignation rumours after Dural caravan controversy
The future of the Australian Federal Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw is uncertain after speculation within the rank and file that he is planning to leave.
The straight-shooting chief of police would not confirm last night that he planned to give four weeks' notice.
The AFP gave a statement saying: 'Commissioner Kershaw has not submitted his resignation and the AFP has no further comment at this stage.'
Commissioner Kershaw was besieged by intense political pressure in recent months over his handling of the January 19 Dural caravan terror saga, with some accusing him of stonewalling and contributing to a public overreaction to what was later found to be a bogus terror plot.
Commissioner Kershaw refused to confirm when Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was briefed on the alleged plan to use a caravan in a terrorist act targeting Sydney's Jewish community.
Commissioner Kershaw told a Senate committee in February that providing further details could compromise operational integrity: 'I will not provide updates in public forums.'
'Details provided, whether it seems innocuous or not, can have an impact on investigations,' he said.
CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA – NewsWire Photos – February 6, 2025: Australian Federal Police Commissioner, Reece Kershaw appears before a parliamentary joint committee on law enforcement hearing into the AFP's annual report at Parliament House in Canberra NewsWire / Martin Ollman
The opposition seized on Kershaw's silence, suggesting the Albanese government may have delayed disclosure for political reasons.
'This is looking more and more like a political cover-up,' former opposition leader Peter Dutton said, calling for an independent inquiry.
'It is inconceivable that the Prime Minister was not briefed on a matter of this gravity at the earliest opportunity.'
Commissioner Kershaw has also faced criticism for inconsistencies in briefing protocols.
Liberal Senator James Paterson questioned why ministers were informed immediately in previous security incidents but not in this case.
'The public deserves transparency and the reassurance that our security agencies are acting without fear or favour,' he said.
Commissioner Kershaw declined to respond directly, saying only, 'I briefed ministers at the appropriate time … I'm not going to speculate – it's not helpful to our investigation.'
The pressure intensified after AFP Deputy Commissioner Krissy Barrett confirmed in March that the caravan plot had been 'a criminal con job' rather than a legitimate terrorist threat.
Questions were raised about the AFP and its inaction regarding the public alarm over the alleged threat, which went unchecked for weeks.
More to come …
Originally published as AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw mum on resignation rumours after Dural caravan controversy
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