BASS Liberal MHR Andrew Nikolic says he's honoured to be officially appointed as chairman to the federal parliament's powerful security and intelligence committee.
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Mr Nikolic, who served in the army for 31 years before entering politics, was appointed to the role on Thursday morning.
''I’d like to thank Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull for the opportunity to serve the Parliament in this role,'' Mr Nikolic said.
''During the last two years, our committee has delivered bipartisan, evidence-based recommendations to improve legislation and fulfil our oversight role of agencies like ASIO, ASIS and the AFP.
''That important work, focussed on national security priorities, will continue under my chairmanship,'' he said.
Between 2008 and 20011 Mr Nikolic had responsibility for providing strategic policy advice to the government on Australia's international defence relations and defence force operations
He has served in Israel, Syria, South Lebanon, Afghanistan and was the Australian National Commander in Southern Iraq in 2005.
Mr Nikolic's appointment has received criticism from Greens Senator Nick McKim, Denison independent MHR Andrew Wilkie and Labor shadow attorney general Mark Dreyfus.
The MPs claimed Mr Turnbull was pandering to the ''dangerous right'' of the Liberal party.
Mr Nikolic said the work of the committee ''should be about issues not personalities''.
