Pezzullo denounces ‘trope’ claims Australia’s foreign policy run by security hawks

Home affairs secretary brushes off criticism hawks are behind government's increasingly assertive stance on China

The head of Australia's powerful home affairs department has rejected claims the country's foreign policy has been taken over by security hawks, amid ongoing concerns about the deteriorating relationship with China.

Mike Pezzullo, the home affairs secretary, said the idea that security hawks were now driving the terms of Australia's engagement with the world was a shorthand, it's a slogan, it's a trope that has emerged which is a deflection from the real issue".