Government Offices work on national security
The Prime Minister’s Office coordinates work at the Government Offices on national security issues. To exchange information and provide strategic coordination on national security issues, a National Security Council has been established. The Council is led by the Prime Minister and consists of ministers. A National Security Adviser assists the National Security Council and is responsible for analysis, coordination and the focus of national security issues.
National Security Council
The National Security Council meets to exchange information and provide strategic coordination on national security issues. The Council meets every other week, but can be convened at short notice in the event of serious crises or incidents.
The National Security Council is led by the Prime Minister and its members consist of the Minister for Justice, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Minister for Defence, the Minister for Civil Defence and the Minister for Finance, as well as the leaders of the other parties in the Government. Other ministers take part when issues involve their areas of responsibility. Public officials and others may be given the opportunity to provide information to the Council.
When necessary, National Security Council meetings can be prepared by the Strategic Coordination Group, which consists of state secretaries representing the ministers participating in the Council. On issues dealing with national security, the Strategic Coordination Group is led by the National Security Adviser.
National Security Adviser assists National Security Council
The National Security Adviser assists the National Security Council and is responsible for analysis, coordination and the focus of national security issues. The Adviser also assists the Prime Minister on foreign affairs, security policy and national security issues.
The National Security Adviser convenes and leads the Strategic Coordination Group on national security issues.
Organisation under the National Security Adviser
The National Security Adviser has staff to assist with work. Under the National Security Adviser are two offices and a secretariat. There is also a Director-General for Crisis Management, supported by a secretariat, who assists on national security issues.
The Office for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy supports the National Security Adviser in assisting the Prime Minister on day-to-day foreign affairs and security policy issues. The Office also handles certain matters of protocol.
The Office for Strategic Analysis and Coordination of National Security Issues analyses and coordinates national security issues and supports the ministries in their work on these matters.
The Office for Intelligence Coordination analyses and coordinates intelligence information at the Government Offices.
Director-General for Crisis Management is Deputy National Security Adviser
A Director-General for Crisis Management is under the National Security Adviser. The Director-General is also the Deputy National Security Adviser.
The Crisis Management Coordination Secretariat is under the Director-General for Crisis Management.
