Peter Dutton (Dickson, Liberal Party, Minister for Home Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

I withdraw the comment, Mr Speaker. ASIO is facing a wider range of security challenges than at any time in its 70 years. As the director-general noted in his most recent annual threat assessment, the number of terrorism leads that ASIO is investigating has doubled since this time last year. The director-general also noted that the threat to Australia from foreign interference and espionage is higher now than it was at the height of the Cold War. The ASIO Amendment Bill 2020 will modernise ASIO's powers and, in doing so, improve ASIO's capacity to respond to these threats. The bill contains a significant number of important safeguards, including oversight by the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security. The bill also strengthens the right to legal representation during questioning.

To conclude, the bill ensures that ASIO is adequately equipped to combat security threats to Australia and Australians. It will ensure that ASIO can operate effectively in an increasingly challenging and complex national security environment. I commend the bill to the House.

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