Today the Governor-General put in place the final piece of the Home Affairs portfolio with the transfer of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) into the portfolio.

ASIO's transfer follows yesterday's passage of the Home Affairs and Integrity Agencies Legislation Amendment Act 2018.

The Minister for Home Affairs Peter Dutton welcomed the transfer of ASIO saying it delivers on the Turnbull Government's intent to bring together the management and coordination of our nation's national security, intelligence and emergency management agencies.

"We are now leveraging the very best of our agencies to ensure that the Home Affairs whole is greater than the sum of its parts," Mr Dutton said.

"Our agencies are among the best in the world and are focussed on building a united, secure and prosperous country for all Australians."

The Home Affairs portfolio draws together the nation's security and policing agencies and will provide the closest possible coordination between ASIO, the Australian Border Force, the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, the Australian Federal Police, and the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre to ensure a safer and more secure Australia.

"Our first priority is the safety and security of all Australians—and this is what we are delivering. These new arrangements enhance the Government's ability to respond to emerging threats including from terrorism, organised crime and foreign interference," Mr Dutton said.

The Home Affairs and Integrity Agencies Legislation Amendment Act 2018 also provides the Attorney-General strengthened oversight of our intelligence, security and law enforcement agencies.