ASIO Deputy Director-General Heather Cook has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) and Director of the Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC).
The ACIC is Australia’s national criminal intelligence agency, with specialist investigative capabilities under the Australian Crime Commission Act 2002. The AIC is Australia’s national research and knowledge centre on crime and justice.
Adding to over 33 years’ experience as an intelligence professional, Cook’s five year appointment will begin 15 January 2024. She’s an experienced senior executive and strategic leader having worked across government, private sector and academia.
Cook is also currently a Member of the Distinguished Advisor Panel at the National Security College, Australian National University.
In a statement announcing her appointment, the Hon Mark Dreyfus KC MP welcomed Cook and thanked Matthew Rippon for stepping in as acting CEO and Director “while the merit based selection process was undertaken”.
Cook began her career in intelligence in 1989, serving with the Canadian Security Intelligence Service until 1995. She was a Senior Policy Office in the Defence, Intelligence and Security Branch of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet between 2000 and 2002.
She also served as First Assistant Director-General at ASIO between 2006 and 2015 and as Deputy Director-General until 2023.