Kathy Klugman: Key Albanese adviser becomes first woman to take on top intelligence role

Anthony Albanese’s chief foreign affairs adviser has been appointed to the nation’s top intelligence job, the first woman to fill the position.

But the appointment has prompted charges of hypocrisy from the Coalition after the Prime Minister complained five years ago about Scott Morrison making a similar move.

Kathy Klugman will become the next Director-General of National Intelligence, leading the Office of National Intelligence which provides intelligence advice directly to the Prime Minister.

She will take up the role when current ONI head Andrew Shearer finishes his term later this year.

In a shuffling of roles, Foreign Minister Penny Wong has appointed Mr Shearer as Australia’s next ambassador to Japan, which is an increasingly important security partner.

She is known to be close