National Security a Major Focus of New Australian Shadow Ministry

L: Andrew Hastie, Liberal MP, speaks at Australian Parliament in May 2018. (Commonwealth of Australia) R: Senator James Paterson speaks in the Senate at Parliament House on Nov. 28, 2017 in Canberra, Australia. Michael Masters/Getty Images

Australia’s opposition Liberal-National Coalition will continue its strong focus on defence and national security after the shadow ministry was unveiled on June 5 with the newly created portfolio of Countering Foreign Interference.

Shifting into the role of shadow defence minister will be Andrew Hastie, a former soldier and the assistant defence minister, while James Paterson, former head of the Intelligence and Security Committee, will become shadow minister for Cyber Security and Countering Foreign Interference.