The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) presented its Advisory Report on the National Security Legislation Amendment (Comprehensive Review and Other Measures No. 2) Bill 2023.

Media release issue date: Friday, 12 May 2023

The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) today presented its Advisory Report on the National Security Legislation Amendment (Comprehensive Review and Other Measures No. 2) Bill 2023. The Bill seeks to implement ten recommendations of the 2020 Comprehensive Review of the Legal Framework of the National Intelligence Community (known as the Richardson Review), and also makes two amendments to the Intelligence Services Act 2001. The Committee recommended that the Bill be passed, subject to the implementation of one Committee recommendation, about clarifying the availability to ASIO officers of defences for certain national infrastructure related offences. The Committee received both public and classified evidence related to the proposed amendments to 13 Commonwealth Acts in the Bill, and found that all were reasonable and justified. The amendments related to Richardson Review recommendations had been developed in line with that review’s findings and give effect to the reforms and efficiencies envisaged by those changes. Committee Chair Mr Peter Khalil MP said: ‘The Committee supports improvements that allow the National Intelligence Community to undertake its important work without the encumbrances of outdated legislation or without the defences and exemptions necessary to protect their information, critical functions and capabilities.’ ‘The Bill also considers principles delivered by Justice Hope 40 years ago, outlined in the review which highlight the importance of agencies being held accountable, operating in accordance with the law, with respect to human rights and fundamental freedoms, whilst remaining politically impartial’, according to Mr Khalil. The two amendments to the Intelligence Services Act 2001 were considered by the Committee and were supported in the Committee’s majority report. These relate to the composition and quorum of the PJCIS; and to the requirements of ministerial directions given to the Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS). Mr Khalil said: ‘The amendments to the composition of the PJCIS will allow for flexibility and an increased membership on the Committee to engage in its important work. 'The amendments related to the most sensitive work of ASIS will require greater detail in ministerial directions, to ensure that appropriate ministerial oversight and accountability in relation to ASIS’ activities is maintained into the future.' 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 this Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the page.

The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security will hear evidence tomorrow from a range of witnesses for its Review of the National Security Legislation Amendment (Comprehensive Review and Other Measures No. 2) Bill 2023.

Media release issue date: Monday, 10 April 2023

The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security will hear evidence tomorrow from a range of witnesses for its Review of the National Security Legislation Amendment (Comprehensive Review and Other Measures No. 2) Bill 2023. The Committee will hear from witnesses including Dr Brendan Walker-Munro, the Commonwealth Ombudsman, the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security, ASIO, the Department of Home Affairs and the Attorney-General’s Department. “The Committee is undertaking a review of the bill on referral from the Attorney-General.” PJCIS Chair Mr Peter Khalil MP said.   “The Australian Government has been implementing recommendations of the Comprehensive Review of the Legal Framework of the National Intelligence Community (known as the Richardson Review) since its completion in December 2019. This bill would implement a further ten of those recommendations, across several Commonwealth Acts, related to the Attorney-General’s portfolio. The bill also proposes amendments to the Intelligence Service Act 2001 regarding the number of members and composition of the PJCIS, as well as changes to Ministerial directions issued by the Foreign Minister to the Australian Secret Intelligence Service. “Careful consideration of the various changes proposed in the bill reflects a central role of the PJCIS, in providing assurance to Parliament that these amendments will be appropriate, proportionate and well considered.” Mr Khalil said. Further information on the bill review can be obtained from the Committee’s website.            Public Hearing Details Tuesday, 11 April 2023 10.45AM – 3.00PM (AEST) Committee Room 2R1, Parliament House, Canberra A program for the hearing can be found here and the hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live. Media inquiries Chair, Mr Peter Khalil MP via Lachlan Hinds, 0455 999 677 lachlan.t.hinds@aph.gov.au For background information Please contact the 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 (PJCIS) has commenced a review into the National Security Legislation Amendment (Comprehensive Review and Other Measures No. 2) Bill 2023, The bill referred to the Committee by the Hon. Mark Dreyfus KC, MP, Attorney-General on 29 March 2023.

Media release issue date: Friday, 31 March 2023

The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) has commenced a review into the National Security Legislation Amendment (Comprehensive Review and Other Measures No. 2) Bill 2023, The bill was referred to the Committee by the Hon. Mark Dreyfus KC, MP, Attorney-General on 29 March 2023. The Bill proposes amendments to enhance the legislative framework of the National Intelligence Community (NIC) by implementing some of the recommendations (recommendations 18, 19, 66, 136, 145, 167, 186, 188, 191 and 192) of the Comprehensive Review of the Legal Framework of the National Intelligence Community (known as the Richardson Review) within the Attorney-General’s portfolio. It proposes amendments to 13 related Commonwealth Acts to support these proposed enhancements. The Bill also proposes to amend the Intelligence Services Act 2001 (IS Act) to provide certainty regarding the level of detail required to describe the directed activities in a Ministerial direction to the Australian Secret Intelligence Service under paragraph 6(1)(e) of the IS Act. In addition the bill proposes amendments to the IS Act on the composition and associated quorum requirements of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) Mr Peter Khalil MP, Chair of the PJCIS said “The Committee’s (PJCIS) review of this national security Bill is an important Parliamentary oversight of the implementation of the recommendations of the Richardson Review. The PJCIS review process adds an extra layer of assurance that these changes are not only appropriate but will not have unintended impacts.” The Attorney-General has requested that the Committee report by the end of April 2023. Accordingly, submissions to the inquiry are invited by midday on Thursday, 6 April 2023. The Committee acknowledges the very tight timeframe requested for submissions and appreciates all efforts to support the Committee with its review. 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.