The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security has backed the enactment of greater oversight of the intelligence community in a new bill, with amendments.

Media release issue date: Monday, 7 February 2022

The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security has backed the enactment of greater oversight of the intelligence community in a new bill, with amendments. In its review of the Intelligence Oversight and Other Legislation Amendment (Integrity Measures) Bill 2020, tabled today, the Committee supports the passage of the bill following implementation of four key recommendations. The Bill proposes to expand the oversight jurisdiction of the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security (IGIS) to cover the intelligence functions of the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC) and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC); and expand the oversight of the PJCIS to cover the intelligence functions of AUSTRAC. The Bill forms part of the Government’s response to the 2020 ‘Richardson Review’ of intelligence legislation. The Committee has recommended that the bill be passed by Parliament following implementation of four other recommendations: That the remit of IGIS and PJCIS be further expanded to also cover the intelligence functions of the Australian Federal Police. That in addition to IGIS, PJCIS be similarly provided with an oversight role over ACIC. That the Government review the scope and adequacy of legislative provisions relating to the retention and destruction of intelligence material. That the Government consider convening a regular meeting of the heads of intelligence integrity agencies, to discuss coordination of their work and promotion of integrity within the National Intelligence Community. 'In an era of strategic competition in the Indo-Pacific and rapid technological change, the government is rightly providing record funding and new powers to our intelligence community to meet new challenges and evolving threats. 'It is vital oversight and scrutiny keeps pace with these new capabilities to retain public confidence and ensure scarce resources are most effectively targeted to the most serious risks,' Chair of the PJCIS, Senator James Paterson said. Further information on the inquiry as well as a copy of the report can be obtained from the inquiry website. Media enquiries Chair, Senator James Paterson via Deborah Seccombe 0451 255 891 deborah.seccombe@aph.gov.au For background information:  Committee Secretariat (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 PJCIS today presented its review of amendments made by the Telecommunications and Other Legislation Amendment (Assistance and Access) Act 2018 (TOLA Act).

Media release issue date: Wednesday, 22 December 2021

The PJCIS today presented its review of amendments made by the Telecommunications and Other Legislation Amendment (Assistance and Access) Act 2018 (TOLA Act). The TOLA Act amended a range of Commonwealth legislation to introduce measures to better deal with the challenges posed by ubiquitous encryption. The committee considered the ongoing appropriateness, effectiveness and necessity of the powers conferred by the TOLA Act 2018 and made 29 recommendations to the government to amend the legislation. The committee has recommended the powers be retained with additional safeguards and oversight mechanisms to provide the public with confidence the legislation continues to be used proportionally and for its intended purpose. Chair of the committee, Senator James Paterson, said: “Agencies have made the case that these powers remain necessary to combat serious national security threats, and some of the worst fears held by industry at the time of passage have not been realised. “However, these are intrusive powers that must be robustly overseen to ensure they are used appropriately, and there are improvements that can be made to the oversight framework which the committee has recommended,” Senator Paterson said. Further information on the inquiry as well as a copy of the report can be obtained from the inquiry website. Media inquiries: Chair, Senator James Paterson via Deborah Seccombe on 0451 255 891 or deborah.seccombe@aph.gov.au For background information:  Committee Secretariat (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 has today published Dr Renwick’s (Independent National Security Legislation Monitor) report ‘Trust but Verify’—A report concerning the Telecommunications and Other Legislation Amendment (Assistance and Access) Act 2018 and related matters.

Media release issue date: Friday, 10 July 2020

The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security has today published Dr Renwick’s (Independent National Security Legislation Monitor) report ‘Trust but Verify’—A report concerning the Telecommunications and Other Legislation Amendment (Assistance and Access) Act 2018 and related matters. Dr Renwick’s report fulfils the Committee’s referral request that he undertake a review of the operation, effectiveness and implementation of amendments made by the Telecommunications and Other Legislation Amendment (Assistance and Access) Act 2018 (TOLA) with a focus on whether the Act: contains appropriate safeguards for protecting the rights of individuals; remains proportionate to any threat of terrorism or threat to national security, or both; and remains necessary. In his report Dr Renwick concluded that, with two exceptions, ‘TOLA is or is likely to be necessary’. Regarding proportionality and proper rights protection, Dr Renwick also stated that ‘TOLA will be compliant if, but only if, the central recommendations in this report are implemented’. Committee Chair, Mr Andrew Hastie MP noted that the Committee’s current review into the amendments made by TOLA will build on the findings presented in Dr Renwick’s report. “The Committee welcomes Dr Renwick’s report, the final report in his role as the Independent National Security Legislation Monitor and recognises the quality of the review work that was undertaken,” Mr Hastie said. Dr Renwick’s term as the Independent National Security Legislation Monitor concluded on Tuesday 30 June 2020. “On behalf of the Committee, I thank Dr Renwick for his valuable contributions and delivery, at the highest standard, of independent review work in the national security space,” said Deputy Chair, Hon Mr Anthony Byrne MP. “The Committee wishes Dr Renwick all the very best in his future endeavours”. More information on the Committee’s review into TOLA can be found on the Committee’s website. Media inquiries Chair, Mr Andrew Hastie MP (Canning, WA) 08 9534 8044 (Electorate office) 02 6277 4223 (Parliament House) For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 2360 pjcis@aph.gov.au