The Intelligence Services Legislation Amendment Bill 2011 has been passed in Parliament, introducing a range of amendments to the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1979, the Intelligence Services Act 2001 and the Criminal Code Act 1995 that will affect operations of security and intelligence agencies.

 

The amendments will:

  • align the definition of ‘foreign intelligence’ in the ASIO Act with other Acts;
  • clarify that ASIO computer access warrants authorise access to data held in a target computer at any time during the life of the warrant;
  • provide the Defence Imagery and Geospatial Organisation (DIGO) with a general function of providing support and assistance to the Australian Defence Force;
  • include a new ground relating to breach of UN sanctions for Ministerial Authorisations for the production of intelligence on an Australian person; and
  • exclude the communication of information relating to employment within the Australian Intelligence Community from ASIO security assessment provisions.

 

Attorney-General Robert McClelland said the  amendments will further enhance the ability of security and intelligence agencies to work cooperatively together to address issues of national security.

“It also ensures rigorous oversight and accountability checks remain in place, including through the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security, ” he said.

 

The Intelligence Services Legislation Amendment Bill 2011 is available here.