Report: Telecommunications Interception and Intelligence Services Legislation Amendment Bill 2010
23 July 2010
© Commonwealth of Australia 2010
View the report as a single document - (PDF 42KB)
23 July 2010
Senator the Hon John Hogg
President of the Senate
INQUIRY INTO THE PROVISIONS OF THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTERCEPTION AND INTELLIGENCE SERVICES LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL 2010
Background
On 24 June 2010, the Senate referred the provisions of the Telecommunications Interception and Intelligence Services Legislation Amendment Bill 2010 (Bill) to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 21 September 2010.
The Bill sought to amend the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979, the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1979 and the Intelligence Services Act 2001 to enable greater cooperation, assistance and information sharing within Australia's law enforcement and national security communities. In particular, the Bill would have enabled the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, the Australian Secret Intelligence Service, the Defence Signals Directorate, and the Defence Imagery and Geospatial Organisation to more closely cooperate in the performance of their respective functions.
Conduct of the inquiry
The committee advertised the inquiry in The Australian newspaper on 30 June 2010 and 14 July 2010, and invited submissions by 10 August 2010. Details of the inquiry, the Bill and associated documents were placed on the committee's website. The committee also wrote to approximately 70 organisations and individuals.
The committee did not receive any submissions for this inquiry.
On 19 July 2010, the Governor-General prorogued the 42nd Parliament and dissolved the House of Representatives. Accordingly, the committee has resolved not to continue its inquiry into the provisions of the Bill. This decision is consistent with the approach to inquiries during elections adopted by other Senate committees. If the Bill is reintroduced in the new parliament, the Senate can again refer it to the committee for inquiry.
Senator Trish Crossin
Chair
For further information, contact:
Committee Secretary
Senate Standing Committees on Legal and Constitutional Affairs
PO Box 6100
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Australia