Nola Marino (Forrest, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Territories) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I present a supplementary explanatory memorandum to the bill. I ask leave of the House to move government amendments (1) and (2), as circulated, together.

Leave granted.

I move government amendments (1) and (2) on sheet ZC107 together:

(1) Page 2 (after line 11), after clause 3, insert:

4 Review

The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security may, after the fifth anniversary of the day this Act receives the Royal Assent, commence a review of the operation, effectiveness and implications of the amendments made by this Act.

(2) Schedule 1, item 10, page 5 (after line 34), after subsection 11C(10), insert:

(10A) The Attorney-General must, as soon as practicable, cause the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security to be notified about the issuing or varying of the mandatory procedure.

(10B) The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security may request a briefing on the mandatory procedure and on any variations to it.

I thank the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security for its review of the bill. The government has accepted all of the committee's recommendations and prepared amendments in response to those recommendations. I moved two amendments to enhance the committee's oversight over the powers contained in the bill, in line with the committee's recommendations. The first amendment ensures the committee must be notified of making or varying the mandatory procedure made by the Attorney-General. The committee may request a briefing on the mandatory procedure or any variations to it. The second amendment provides for the committee to commence a review of the amendments made by the bill five years from the date of royal assent. This bill will ensure that intelligence agencies have the tools needed to deal with current and emerging threats. These amendments will strengthen the oversight arrangements in line with the government's unwavering commitment to ensuring Australia's national security framework is and continues to be as robust and responsible as possible. I commend these amendments to the House.

Question agreed to.

Bill, as amended, agreed to.