Home Affairs’ secretary hassles are no problem for Stephanie Foster

By Melissa Coade

October 3, 2023

L-R: Clare Walsh DFAT COO; David Fredericks secretary of the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water; Michael Pezzullo secretary of Home Affairs; and Stephanie Foster. (Image: RLDI/IPAA ACT)

Mike Pezzullo’s WhatsApp message scandal with a Liberal party lobbyist may have unravelled the prospect of him holding onto the reins of the mega Home Affairs department for good. Just as well that there’s a safe pair of hands in the department’s associate secretary immigration to take care of business.

Stephanie Foster has seen quite a bit during her time in the APS. In fact, her track record points to someone who, like a magical fairy godmother, materialises during times of strife, applies some healing balm to keep the wheels turning, and then recedes back into the lifting morning mist when things are set right again.

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