Preliminary pages
Foreword
The Committee completed another full and productive year
scrutinising terrorism legislation and aspects of the administration and
expenditure of the intelligence agencies. As the work and volume of the
intelligence agencies increase so too does the work of the Committee.
The fourth review of administration and expenditure focused
on recruitment and training. The intelligence agencies have been rapidly
recruiting staff in order to provide more security and counter-terrorism capability.
The Committee found that, in a competitive market place, increasing and
retaining staff was challenging and that timely security clearances remained an
inhibition to recruitment.
A significant challenge for the agencies was the recruitment
of sufficient numbers of people with necessary language skills. The Committee
concluded that language training remains one of the most difficult and
expensive areas of training for the intelligence agencies. The agencies
demonstrated that various initiatives are being devised to lessen and, it is
hoped, eventually overcome these difficulties. Overall, the committee was
satisfied that the agencies were managing their expansion.
The other major inquiry of 2006 was the statutory review of
the security and counter terrorism legislation. The Committee’s review followed
and took into account the report of the Security and Legislation Review
Committee (the Sheller Committee). The Committee made 26 recommendations and,
in particular, recommended the appointment of an independent reviewer of
terrorism law in Australia. Under the recommendation, the Committee would
examine the reports of the Independent Reviewer.
During the review period, the Committee tabled four reports
on the listing of terrorist organisations. The four reports dealt with the
re-listing of 14 organisations. Procedural issues relating to consultations
with the States and Territories and the nature of the information provided to
the Committee remain a concern in all these reviews.
In addition to these reports, the Committee also commenced
its inquiry into the operations, effectiveness and implications of the
terrorist organisation listing provisions of the Criminal Code and the fifth
review of administration and expenditure. The reports of these inquiries will be
tabled in the next reporting period.
On behalf of the Committee, I take this opportunity to thank
and commend Mrs Margaret Swieringa for her excellent support as
Secretary of the Committee from 2002 to June 2007. Margaret provided
professional advice and support of the highest standard and the Committee
wishes her well in her future endeavours.
In addition, the Committee notes the passing of Mr Alan Taylor, AM, career diplomat and former Director-General of the Australian Secret
Intelligence Service from 1998 to 2003. He was, until recently,
Chairman of the Board of the Australia-Indonesia Institute, where he continued
his career-long contribution to Australia’s international relations. Mr Taylor was instrumental in advancing and implementing the Intelligence Services Act 2001.
During this process, Mr Taylor appeared before the Joint Select Committee
on the Intelligence Services where he gained the respect and acknowledgement of
all members of the Committee.
I also take this opportunity to say a personal farewell.
This will be my last annual report as Chairman of the committee as I will not
be standing for re-election in the forthcoming 2007 election. I have enjoyed
the work immensely and appreciate the contribution and support of my fellow
committee members.
In conclusion, and on behalf of the Committee, I would like
to thank all those who have contributed to the work of the Committee during the
past year.
THE HON DAVID JULL MP
Chair