The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) today tabled its advisory report on the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Amendment Bill 2023.

Media release issue date: Tuesday, 13 June 2023

The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) today tabled its advisory report on the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Amendment Bill 2023. The Committee noted that the security clearance process is designed to ensure that only individuals who are deemed suitable and trustworthy are granted access to sensitive national security information. At the same time, the Committee recognises that the security clearance process must be fair and, to the extent possible, transparent. Individuals who are subject to the process have the right to procedural fairness, including the right to challenge adverse findings and to have their case reviewed by an independent body. The Committee is satisfied with the merits and other review processes proposed by the Bill and the involvement of the IGIS in oversight of the powers and functions exercised under the Bill. The Committee also supported, the inclusion of the new Quality Assurance Office within the Office of National Intelligence and agrees with ONI that this should ‘drive the uplift of the mandatory insider threat capability across government agencies that sponsor TOP SECRET-Privileged Access security clearances. The Committee made one recommendation that the Explanatory Memorandum for the Bill be amended, or a supplementary Explanatory Memorandum presented, specifying that, notwithstanding the Bill’s authority to delegate functions and powers to ASIO affiliates, human sources or agents will not be used to undertake security vetting. Chair of the Committee Mr Peter Khalil MP said “the Committee reviewed this Bill with a view to ensuring that the security clearance process is robust, fair, and effective. The Committee is satisfied that the Bill protects Australia's national security interests, while also upholding the rights and privacy of individuals.” Further information on the inquiry as well as a copy of the report can be obtained from the Committee’s website. Further information on the inquiry can be obtained from the Committee’s website. Media inquiries Chair Mr Peter Khalil MP, via Lachlan Hinds 0455 999 677 lachlan.t.hinds@aph.gov.au For background information Committee Secretariat, Parliamentary Joint Committee on intelligence and Security (02) 6277 2360 pjcis@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the page.

The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) has commenced a review of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Amendment Bill 2023.

Media release issue date: Monday, 3 April 2023

The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) has commenced a review of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Amendment Bill 2023. On 29 March 2023 the Minister for Home Affairs wrote to the Committee referring the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Amendment Bill 2023 for the Committee’s review. The Bill contains a suite of amendments to: uplift and harden Australia’s highest-level of security clearance in response to the unprecedented threat from espionage and foreign interference confronting Australia, and drive shared initiatives and investments that improve interoperability and burden sharing as the Australian Government delivers critical national security capabilities. The Bill would enable the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) to implement a consistent approach to issuing, maintaining and revoking Australia’s highest-level security clearances that ensures Australia’s most sensitive information, capability and secrets remain protected. Mr Peter Khalil MP, Chair of the PJCIS said “Reviewing important national security legislation that, through the high-level access security clearances provide, will affect Australia’s National Security architecture is a key part of the Parliamentary oversight work of the PJCIS. The review will provide assurance that these changes provide a security framework that will last well into the future.” Submissions are invited by Friday 21 April 2023. The Committee encourages concise submissions. Correspondence addressing individuals’ security clearance issues will not be accepted as submissions to this inquiry. Further information on the inquiry can be obtained from the Committee’s website. Media inquiries Chair Mr Peter Khalil MP, via Lachlan Hinds 0455 999 677 lachlan.t.hinds@aph.gov.au For background information Committee Secretariat, Parliamentary Joint Committee on intelligence and Security (02) 6277 2360 pjcis@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the page.