The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) has commenced a review of the Intelligence Services Legislation Amendment Bill 2023.
On 22 June 2023 the Attorney-General wrote to the Committee to refer the Intelligence Services Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 for the Committee’s review.
The Bill would amend the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security Act 1986 and the Intelligence Services Act 2001, mainly to expand the oversight of the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security (IGIS) and the PJCIS to include all of the agencies that comprise Australia’s National Intelligence Community.
The Bill would add four additional agencies to the jurisdiction of the IGIS and PJCIS:
- the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC), and
- the intelligence functions of the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC), the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the Department of Home Affairs.
The Bill would also amend and update various provisions relating to the functions and operation of the PJCIS.
Mr Peter Khalil MP, Chair of the PJCIS said “This review will provide a valuable opportunity to consider how the Committee and Inspector General can continue to provide effective oversight of Australia’s national intelligence community.”
Submissions to the inquiry are invited by Thursday 31 August 2023.
Further information on the inquiry can be obtained from the Committee’s website.
