A review of the laws governing Australia’s intelligence activities and capabilities has been announced by Attorney-General, Christian Porter.
Mr Porter said the former head of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, Dennis Richardson (pictured) would head the review, which he said was the most significant in more than 40 years.
“It will examine the legal framework underpinning Australia’s intelligence community and capability,” Mr Porter said.
“The review was a key recommendation of the 2017 Independent Intelligence Review conducted by Michael L’Estrange and Stephen Merchant.”
Mr Porter said the legislative framework governing intelligence Agencies had evolved considerably since the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1979 and the Intelligence Services Act 2001 were first introduced.
“It is essential we ensure our Agencies have the tools and framework they need to be effective and meet their core function — keeping Australians safe,” he said.
“The review will consider options for harmonising and modernising the legislative framework that governs the activities of our intelligence Agencies to ensure they operate with clear, coherent and consistent powers, protections and oversight.”
He said that in addition to intelligence Agencies, the review would consider the legislative frameworks for the intelligence functions of the Department of Home Affairs, Australian Federal Police, Australian Transactional Report Analysis Centre (Austrac) and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission.
“This is consistent with the 2017 Independent Intelligence Review’s recommendation to consolidate and expand linkages between members of the national intelligence community,” the Attorney-General said.
“Terms of reference for the review will be announced in the near future. It is expected the review will be completed within 18 months,” he said.
