The Bill would amend the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1979, the Intelligence Services Act 2001, the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979 and the Archives Act 1983 to:

a. strengthen protections around the identity of employees of the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD), Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) and Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS);
b. improve the ability of ASIO to communicate information, and provide additional protections for individuals through making the communication of certain information prescribed administrative action;
c. increase operational flexibility through updated approval processes for certain intelligence activities;
d. clarify provisions relating to the authorisation of certain intelligence activities;
e. provide for quicker processing of non-prejudicial security clearance suitability assessments;
f. require ASIO to notify the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security when certain security assessments, security clearance decisions, and security clearance suitability assessments have not been made or furnished within 12 months; and
g. clarify that only the Attorney-General, and not junior ministers can exercise certain powers relating to ASIO and to telecommunications.

Submissions are invited by Friday 2 February 2024. Further information about making a submission to a parliamentary committee is available here.