The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) today presented its Advisory Report on the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Modernisation) Bill 2022.

Media release issue date: Monday, 20 March 2023

The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) today presented its Advisory Report on the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Modernisation) Bill 2022. The report considers the operation and effectiveness of the amendments proposed by the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Modernisation) Bill 2022. The Committee recommended the Bill be passed following the implementation of the four remaining recommendations. The Committee considered that information sharing provisions between the IGIS and the Committee could be improved and recommended that opportunities to improve information sharing should be pursued. The Committee also recommends that an individual’s eligibility for appointment to the role of Inspector-General should occur after an appropriate period of time to be determined by the Government, following the individual’s employment in an intelligence agency. The remaining recommendations provide that the Office of National Intelligence develop an employment framework for staff engaged under their Act, and an amendment to the Bill to ensure consistency between integrity bodies’ legislation. Committee Chair Mr Peter Khalil MP said: ‘The Committee supports improvements that allow the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security to effectively oversee Australia’s intelligence agencies’. Further information on the inquiry as well as a copy of the report 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 into the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Modernisation) Bill 2022. The bill review was referred to the Committee by the Hon. Mark Dreyfus KC, MP, Attorney-General.

Media release issue date: Friday, 10 February 2023

The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) has commenced a review into the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Modernisation) Bill 2022. The bill review was referred to the Committee by the Hon. Mark Dreyfus KC, MP, Attorney-General. The Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Modernisation) Bill 2022 proposes amendments to the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security Act 1986 to improve the ability of the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security (IGIS) to provide effective oversight of intelligence and security agencies. The bill would improve reporting and information sharing processes, allow the IGIS to consider employment related grievances for staff employed by the Office of National Intelligence and introduce provisions preventing the head or deputy head of an agency overseen by the IGIS from being appointed to the position immediately after serving in that capacity. The bill includes a number of technical amendments to improve clarity, modernise drafting expressions and remove redundant provisions, as well as to address certain limitations in the Inspector-General's oversight functions and powers. In addition, the bill also amends the provisions of the National Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2022 to clarify information sharing arrangements with the IGIS. Submissions to the inquiry are invited by Friday, 17 February 2023. 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.