Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the House) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That this bill be now read a second time.

The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2025 extends the sunset date of ASIO's compulsory questioning powers by 18 months, until 7 March 2027. This extension will enable the government to progress reforms to ASIO's questioning powers, and ensure the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) has sufficient time to consider those reforms.

In September 2023, the PJCIS elected to review the compulsory questioning framework ahead of its sunset date, but it did not complete its review prior to the parliament being prorogued earlier this year. This bill will ensure ASIO retains these important powers to investigate and gather critical intelligence while reforms to the framework are progressed through parliament, including consideration by the PJCIS.

Closing remarks

I would note that this bill ensures that ASIO continues to have the powers it needs to navigate an increasingly complex, challenging and changing security environment and deliver on its mission to protect the safety of Australia and Australians. The regime will continue to be subject to extensive safeguards and oversight mechanisms to protect individual rights, including oversight by the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security.

The bill reflects this government's commitment to ensuring Australia's national security agencies have the powers they need to ensure that Australians can be safe, and feel safe, in an increasingly complex national security environment.

Debate adjourned.