Dennis Richard Addresses the NPC 12 May 2017

Dennis Richardson at the National Press Club

Chris Uhlmann NPC President introduces Dennis Richardson, Secretary of the Department of Defence. "If you were in public life, wouldn't you think it is great if I got to one day be Director-General of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, or perhaps be ambassador to the United States, or perhaps Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, or even perhaps the Secretary of Department of Defence, just one of those things would someone as having had a great career in the public service." Dennis Richardson achieved all of that.

Dennis Richardson at the National Press Club

Dennis Richardson laughs as Chris Uhlmann introduces him to the audience at the National Press Club. Mr Richardson retired from his position as the Secretary of the Department of Defence.

Dennis Richardson at the National Press Club

Chris Uhlmann NPC President introduces Dennis Richardson, Secretary of the Department of Defence.

Dennis Richardson at the National Press Club

Dennis Richardson, "This is my last day in the Australian Public Service, having commenced in January 1969, 48 years ago. I thouroughly enjoyed it and would gladly do it all again, and for that I thank my family, my colleagues and the government of whom I worked to".

Dennis Richardson at the National Press Club

Dennis Richardson said during his NPC address, "Of course it is open to us or the US to reasses the value of the alliance at any time, but any debate and reassessment should flow from clear eyed analysis and judgment, not the emotional reaction to one person."

Dennis Richardson at the National Press Club

The Secretary of the Department of Defence addresses the National Press Club on his final day in the Australian Public Service.

Dennis Richardson at the National Press Club

Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin, AC Chief of the Defence Force listens to Dennis Richardson.

Dennis Richardson at the National Press Club

The Secretary of the Department of Defence addresses the National Press Club on his final day in the Australian Public Service.

Dennis Richardson at the National Press Club

The audience looks on as Dennis Richardson addresses the National Press Club in Canberra

Dennis Richardson at the National Press Club

The Secretary of the Department of Defence addresses the National Press Club on his final day in the Australian Public Service.

Dennis Richardson at the National Press Club

Chris Uhlmann asks Dennis Richardson about the request from NATO for support in Afghanistan, and why after 16 years should we continue there?

Dennis Richardson at the National Press Club

The Secretary of the Department of Defence says Afghanistan will need support financially for many years to come.

Dennis Richardson at the National Press Club

The Secretary of the Department of Defence says Afghanistan will need support financially for many years to come.

Dennis Richardson at the National Press Club

Andrew Green from the ABC asks about the 99-year lease for the port of Darwin which caused friction between the US and China. He also asked if Dennis Richardson would consider taking a job with a Chinese company.

Dennis Richardson at the National Press Club

Michelle Grattan from the Conversation asks about his security role in the past and his opinion of a Department of Homeland Security and if ASIO should be part of that or kept separate.

Dennis Richardson at the National Press Club

Responds to Michelle Gratton's question about the attitude of Minister's and the ability to give frank and fair advice. Dennis Richardson said "I think public servants who say that are simply cowards, I have never worked for a Prime Minister or for a Minister with whom I have not been able to talk frankly, I've never worked with a Minister with whom I 've not had a disagreement and a few tense moments, the same with Prime Ministers. The odd Minister might not like that for 24 hours or 36 hours but Ministers, politicians generally are very skilled at moving on".

Dennis Richardson at the National Press Club

"In relation to Homeland Security, I am a bit agnostic about it. If I was in a dark room myself making a decision in isolation of everything else I would not see a new for a Department of Homeland Security."

Dennis Richardson at the National Press Club

"However if a government one day decides to create a Department of Homeland Security I'll be quite relaxed about it, not something I would do myself, but certainly not the end of the world".

Dennis Richardson at the National Press Club

Talking about ASIO and if it should be part of a Department of Homeland Security if one were to be created

Dennis Richardson at the National Press Club

"Please we do not need more bureaucracy" Dennis Richardson talking about ASIO and who would sign off on ASIO warrants

Dennis Richardson at the National Press Club

"In the UK, I think MI5 reports to the Minister for Home Affairs, so there are precedences there"

Dennis Richardson at the National Press Club

"If you go back a few years, it is ironic isn't it, if you go back a few years, in the one portfolio we had ASIO, we had Austrac, we had customs and we had the AFP, we had everything except for Immigration, so it is funny what goes around".

Dennis Richardson at the National Press Club

Commenting on how in the past we had in the one portfolio, ASIO, Austrac, Customs and the AFP

Dennis Richardson at the National Press Club

Brendan Nicholson, Defence Editor at The Strategist. He pointed out that he was a fervent rugby union supporter to which Dennis Richardson replied "I 'won't answer it". This came from an earlier journalist saying he hoped the Raiders went well in 2017 and Dennis Richardson said you can have two questions. Mr Richardson is on the board of the Canberra Raiders.

Dennis Richardson at the National Press Club

Mr Richardson looks on as Brendan Nicholson from the Australian Strategic Policy Institute asks his question about China being very active in the intelligence activities against Australia and what can be done to reduce these activities

Dennis Richardson at the National Press Club

"The Chinese respect two things, they respect a lot of things, but two things they respect in inter-govermental relations is firmness and consistency."

Dennis Richardson at the National Press Club

Sabra Lane, host of ABC's radio show, AM, thanks Dennis Richardson for his service as well as his speech. She then asked a question about the release of hacked material to try to influence election results in the US and France and how well Australia is placed to protect ourselves against similar activities.

Dennis Richardson at the National Press Club

"I don't know what happens now, but prior to the 2004 federal elections when I was in ASIO, I had a meeting with the then federal secretary of both major parties to have a talk about some of the challenges involved and what some people might get up to. I wasn't thinking then of state actors, now if those discussions I had, I imagine that one of the things that would be covered off would be state actors. It simply underlines the fact that if we do move to electronic voting we do need to invest enormously upfront in ensuring that we get it right the first time around. In the meantime good old paper has a certain amount of reassurance".