Inquiry into the impact of the exercise of law enforcement and intelligence powers on the freedom of the press

August 2020

© Commonwealth of Australia 2020
ISBN: 978-1-76092-042-5

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Members

Terms of Reference

Abbreviations

List of Recommendations

1. Introduction

  Scope of this report and conduct of the inquiry
  Report structure
  Related current or recent inquiries and reports

2. Background and interactions between media, law enforcement, and intelligence agencies

  Background and events leading up to the inquiry
  Legislative frameworks and their complexity
  National security and intelligence capability security
  The experience of journalists and media organisations with law enforcement and intelligence agencies and their impacts
  Examples of cooperation between the media and intelligence and law enforcement agencies
  What is the chilling effect? – secrecy vs public interest

3. Balancing national security and public accountability while rebuilding trust

  Proposals for consultation and consolidated legislation
  Law enforcement and intelligence agency powers and warrants
  Commonwealth secrecy offences and related defences
  Public Interest Disclosure
  Classification of documents
  Source Protection
  Defamation law and Freedom of Information

A. List of submissions and exhibits

B. Witnesses appearing at public hearings

Additional Comments

Additional Comments by Labor members

Committee Secretariat contact:

Committee Secretary
Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security
PO Box 6021
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600

Phone: +61 2 6277 2360
pjcis@aph.gov.au

About this inquiry

This inquiry was referred on 4 July 2019 by the Attorney-General pursuant to subparagraph 29(1)(b)(ia) of the Intelligence Services Act 2001. The inquiry is to report on the impact of the exercise of law enforcement and intelligence powers on the freedom of the press.



Past Public Hearings

20 Sep 2019: Canberra
19 Sep 2019: Canberra
14 Aug 2019: Canberra

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