The new home affairs ministry announced by Malcolm Turnbull on Tuesday is considered by some experts to be unnecessary and potentially dangerous.

The director of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, Peter Jennings, says that while the department would present an array of bureaucratic challenges, it is largely a “sensible step”.

Likely benefits include the potential for a much-needed improvement to Australia’s ability to tackle cyber-security issues and foreign interference. But he says success will depend on how effectively the ministers can work together.

Jennings notes the “absence of obvious process” behind the announcement of the home affairs department – unlike the “carefully worded, well-researched” intelligence review – means the details of the roll-out are unclear.

Michelle Grattan does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond the academic appointment above.