George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Ludlam for his question. I know this is an area of great interest to Senator Ludlam, so Senator Ludlam will be aware that the Australian intelligence agencies operate under a regime of parliamentary oversight comprising the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence and Security and the Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade. They operate under strict statutory obligations under the ASIO Act and the Intelligence Services Act, and they act under strict executive government oversight—both ministerial oversight and oversight by the independent agency of the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security.

The government is confident that the Australian national security agencies discharge their statutory obligations and that they act in the interests of Australia and of Australians. The senator will understand that it is not the practice of Australian governments, and this has been the case from time immemorial, to comment on particular security matters.