12 Facts About Mike Pezzullo

Mike Pezzullo was found to have engaged in "gossip and disrespectful critique" of ministers.

Mike Pezzullo joined the Department of Defence as a graduate in 1987.

In 1993 Mike Pezzullo joined the staff of the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Gareth Evans, whom he later described as a friend.

Mike Pezzullo remained in Parliament House until December 2001, including as deputy chief of staff to then opposition leader Kim Beazley.

In July 2009 Mike Pezzullo joined the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service as chief operating officer, a role which he continued in until September 2012.

Mike Pezzullo was promoted to acting chief executive over the period September 2012 to February 2013 and on 15 February 2013 was employed as the substantive CEO.

On 5 September 2019, Mike Pezzullo was reappointed as Secretary of the Department of Home Affairs for a period of 5 years commencing on 13 October 2019.

Mike Pezzullo's message had come as then Defence Minister Peter Dutton said war with China should not be discounted.

On 25 September 2023 Mike Pezzullo stood aside at the direction of then Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil pending an investigation following revelations he had made partisan interventions during the 2018 Liberal Party of Australia leadership spills.

Mike Pezzullo is alleged to have unduly influenced this process by communicating his leadership and ministerial preferences to Liberal Party powerbroker Scott Briggs.

Mike Pezzullo was made an Officer of the Order of Australia in the 2020 Queens Birthday Honours for "distinguished service to public administration through leadership roles in the areas of national security, border control and immigration".

Mike Pezzullo is married to Lynne, an economist, and together they have raised four children.