Officials Committee for Domestic and External Security Co-ordination

The Officials Committee for Domestic and External Security Coordination (ODESC) is a New Zealand government committee which gives the Prime Minister strategic policy advice on security and intelligence matters.[1] Operational security matters are handled by other groups, including the Defence Force, the Ministry of Defence, the Security Intelligence Service, the Government Communications Security Bureau and Police.[2]

The committee was established by Cabinet on 23 August 1993.[3] It is led by the chief executive of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Ben King.[4] Its membership reflects the skills and expertise needed to respond to a crisis but may include the chief executives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Defence Force, the Ministry of Defence, the Security Intelligence Service, the Government Communications Security Bureau, the New Zealand Police, the National Emergency Management Agency, the Treasury and others.[4][5]

The group is headed by the chief executive of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Ben King.[4]

Notable incidents

The group was involved in the anti-terror raids that occurred on 15 October 2007[5] and may be involved in some organised crime work.[6]

It met on the day of the Christchurch mosque shootings on 15 March 2019 to coordinate the government's response.[7]

References

1. "An Overview of New Zealand's Security and Intelligence Arrangements". dpmc.govt.nz. 2011. Retrieved 16 September 2011.
2. "New Zealand's response to threats of terrorism | New Zealand Police". police.govt.nz. 2011. Retrieved 16 September 2011. In New Zealand the Police Commissioner is accountable for the operational response to threats to national security, including terrorism, and has a key role through The Officials Committee for Domestic and External Security Coordination (ODESC).
3. "New Zealand Security Intelligence Service Act 1969 No 24 (as at 13 July 2011), Public Act – New Zealand Legislation". legislation.govt.nz. 2011. Retrieved 16 September 2011. Officials Committee for Domestic and External Security Coordination means the committee established by the Cabinet on 23 August 1993
4. "The Officials Committee for Domestic and External Security Coordination (ODESC) | Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC)". www.dpmc.govt.nz. 27 October 2020. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
5. "Maori protest anti-terror raids". stuff.co.nz. 2011. Retrieved 16 September 2011. A secret government group known as the Officials Committee for Domestic and External Security Co-ordination (ODESC) has been involved in the operation. It comprises the chief executives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Defence Force, the Ministry of Defence, the Security Intelligence Service, the Government Communications Security Bureau, police, the Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management, the Treasury and others. The head of the Prime Minister's Department, Andrew Kibblewhite, leads the group.
6. "Editorial: New direction on organised crime". Stuff.co.nz. 2011. Retrieved 16 September 2011.
7. "Top level crisis meeting in Wellington after Christchurch mosque shooting". Stuff.co.nz. 15 March 2019. Retrieved 2 April 2019.