Bob Carr (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

As a matter of principle and long-standing practice the government does not comment on intelligence matters. I do reiterate, however, that we have a strong legal framework to protect Australians. Intelligence Services Act agencies such as the Defence Signals Directorate, to which Senator Xenophon refers, are required by law to obtain specific authorisation either from the Minister for Defence or the Minister for Foreign Affairs to produce intelligence on an Australian. In matters relating to threats to security, the Attorney-General must also support the approval. All such activities are independently examined by the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security to ensure that authorisations are conducted in accordance with this law.