Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has strongly refuted claims that Australia's top intelligence chief, Mike Burgess, was excluded from national security committee meetings during his first term. In a tense exchange with ABC journalist Olivia Caisley, Albanese insisted that Burgess was always present for discussions involving intelligence or national security, despite changes to his permanent membership status. Burgess was reinstated as a permanent member of the committee in July 2024, following concerns over rising espionage and terror threats.

Albanese also addressed criticism from opposition figures who argued that removing intelligence heads from the committee had damaged national security. He maintained that Burgess's involvement was consistent and denied any recklessness. Additionally, Albanese responded to calls for a Royal Commission after the Bondi terror attack, stating that the government acted swiftly and thoughtfully, while acknowledging the concerns of grieving families and the Jewish community.