The Turnbull Government has appointed AFP Deputy Commissioner Karl Kent OAM as the first Commonwealth Transnational Serious and Organised Crime Coordinator.
Within the Department of Home Affairs, the Coordinator will lead the national effort to combat the serious and rapidly evolving threat posed by transnational serious and organised crime (TSOC).
As the Commonwealth TSOC Coordinator, Mr Kent will also oversee the establishment of the Government's recently announced Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation.
Minister for Home Affairs Peter Dutton said organised crime affecting Australia is increasingly sophisticated, well-financed and transnational.
"Organised crime is costing Australians around $36 billion every year, but we know the personal cost to victims is much higher," Mr Dutton said.
"We are operating in an unprecedented criminal setting with up to 70 per cent of our serious and organised crime threats based offshore or having strong offshore links.
"I am very pleased to welcome Deputy Commissioner Kent as Australia's first Coordinator to tackle important issues such as child exploitation, human trafficking and slavery, illicit drugs, illicit firearms and money laundering."
Minister for Law Enforcement and Cyber Security Angus Taylor said organised criminals are seeking out innovative expertise and technologies to commit borderless crimes.
"The scale and complexity of this criminal threat requires strong leadership and that is exactly what this Government and the Coordinator will provide," Mr Taylor said.
"Appointing a Coordinator to combat serious and organised crime, including cybercrime, sends a message to criminals and their networks that we are increasingly sophisticated and motivated to bring them to justice.
"The Coordinator will work closely with the National Cyber Security Adviser, as well as the States and Territories, private sector and international partners to keep Australians safe."
Mr Kent is a sworn Deputy Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police and reports to the Secretary of the Department of Home Affairs.
The Coordinator will be supported by the Department of Home Affairs and Home Affairs Portfolio agencies: the AFP, the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, AUSTRAC and the Australian Border Force.
