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Tony Abbott ally Andrew Nikolic to head powerful parliamentary security committee
Updated ,first published
One of former prime minister Tony Abbott's biggest supporters will be named chair of Parliament's powerful security and intelligence committee by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.
Tasmanian MP Andrew Nikolic, an arch conservative MP with hawkish views on foreign affairs, is set to replace Dan Tehan, who was promoted to the ministry in Mr Turnbull's recent reshuffle.
Mr Nikolic, a 20 year military veteran, will be appointed as chair of the parliamentary joint committee on intelligence and security.
The decision has unsettled some in Labor ranks as they fear the appointment of Mr Nikolic to replace Mr Tehan could undermine the carefully bipartisan nature of the committee.
The appointment will also be seen as Mr Turnbull extending an olive branch to the hard right of the Liberal Party.
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James Massola is chief political commentator. He was previously national affairs editor and South-East Asia correspondent. He has won Quill and Kennedy awards and been a Walkley finalist. Connect securely on Signal @jamesmassola.01Connect via X or email.