Jerome Laxale (Bennelong, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

On behalf of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security, I present the committee'sAnnual report of committee activities for 2024-2025.

Report made a parliamentary paper in accordance with standing order 39(e).

by leave—In line with the requirement under section 31 of the Intelligence Services Act 2001—that the committee report annually on its activities—the report provides details of the committee's work in the financial year ending 30 June 2025. The report year covered the last nine months of the 47th Parliament.

Over the review period, the committee continued with a busy program of work. It was largely occupied with reviewing a range of prospective and existing national security legislation in addition to its ongoing oversight activities. Between 1 July 2024 and the end of the 47th Parliament, in March 2025, the committee presented seven reports, which included one annual report, one review of intelligence agencies' administration and expenditure, one review of the listing of a terrorist organisation, and four bill inquiries referred by ministers. The committee held 28 meetings and briefings, including four public hearings, which supported the committee's work across 12 inquiries in total during the period.

Notable reviews and inquiries concluded during the review period include inquiries into the Cybersecurity Legislative Package 2024; the listing of Ansar Allah, otherwise known as the Houthis, as a terrorist organisation under the Criminal Code; and the Intelligence Services Legislation Amendment Bill 2023, which laid the important groundwork for the Strengthening Oversight of the National Intelligence Community Bill 2025, passed by the parliament with the committee's endorsement in November last year. On behalf of the committee, I wish to thank all those who made contributions to the committee's inquiries and reviews during the 2024-25 financial year.

This report is being presented to the parliament by the current committee as constituted after the conclusion of the reporting period and the commencement of the 48th Parliament. The current membership of 12 includes nine members new to the committee. In this annual report the committee acknowledged those members who participated during the reporting period and are no longer serving on the committee. These include three former chairs of the committee: the member for Wills, the member for Canning and Senator James Patterson from the other place. The present committee thanks the former chairs and all the former members for their contributions up to and during 2024-25 and looks forward to continuing the committee's important work during the 48th parliament. I commend the report to the House.

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