The reports made public hundreds of encrypted messages between Mr Pezzullo and Liberal Party member Scott Briggs over more than five years, including some that were disparaging of senior public servants and politicians including Christopher Pyne, Julie Bishop and Marise Payne.
Mr Pezzullo made no comment on Monday. Deputy secretary Stephanie Foster will lead the department while he is stood aside.
Home Affairs boss stands aside for investigation of texts leak . By Tom McIlroy, Financial Review