Albanese adviser tapped for top national security post

Kathy Klugman is taking over from Andrew Shearer as Office of National Intelligence chief. (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS)

A leading foreign affairs adviser to Anthony Albanese is set to become the first woman to lead one of the country's top intelligence agencies.

Kathy Klugman has been appointed director-general of the Office of National Intelligence.

The agency is responsible for advising the prime minister and the federal government on matters of national security and intelligence.

Ms Klugman has previously been the prime minister's principal adviser on international affairs since Labor was elected in 2022, and was frequently seen alongside the prime minister during overseas visits.

Kathy Klugman has been Anthony Albanese's main adviser on international affairs since 2022. (Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS)

Acting Prime Minister Richard Marles said the incoming head had played a crucial role in foreign policy in recent years.

"Ms Klugman has had a distinguished career in the Australian Public Service holding senior positions in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet," he said in a statement on Thursday.

"She has had a particular focus on the Indo-Pacific region and served as high commissioner to Sri Lanka."

Ms Klugman will take over the role in December from Andrew Shearer, who has been put forward as Australia's next ambassador to Japan.

Mr Shearer had served in the security head role since 2020.

The Office of National Intelligence is responsible for advising the government on national security. (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS)

Foreign Minister Penny Wong on Thursday announced the intention to nominate Mr Shearer for the ambassador role, which has to be ratified by Japan's government.

Due to the significance of the Office of National Intelligence, the government is required to consult with the opposition leader about the appointment of the director-general.

But a spokesman for Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said the talks on Ms Klugman's promotion were not carried out properly.

"The deputy prime minister informed the leader about this appointment earlier this week, that is not meaningful consultation," the spokesman said.

"It is for the government to address why a long-term Labor staffer has been placed directly from the prime minister's office into an intelligence organisation charged with profound contestable advice to government of issues of profound strategic importance to our national security and decision making."