Raff Ciccone (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

This week I was honoured to be re-elected as Chair of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security. I want to thank my colleagues for their trust, and I look forward to continuing this very important work with the deputy chair, Mr Wallace in the other place, in a spirit of bipartisanship and cooperation. The PJCIS, as it's commonly referred to, has started its important work for the 48th Parliament, with a full agenda ahead. Already the committee has launched new inquiries, including the review of the listing of Terrorgram as a terrorist organisation under the Criminal Code Act; the ASIO Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2025; and the Strengthening Oversight of the National Intelligence Community Bill 2025, also referred to as SONIC. Each of these is about reinforcing the legal framework for Australia's national security whilst ensuring proper oversight and accountability.

The committee's objective is very clear: to make our intelligence agencies remain effective, focused and accountable in keeping Australians safe. This oversight not only strengthens agency performance but also builds public trust. Intelligence work often requires secrecy, but democratic accountability ensures that it is always conducted in the national interest. The history of this committee, established back in 1988 as a legacy of the Hawke Labor government, reminds us that strong parliamentary oversight has long been central to Australia's approach to national security. It began as a committee on the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation between 1988 and 2001. Then, from 2002 to 2005, it became a committee that was focused on ASIO, ASIS and DSD, before evolving into today's PJCIS, which was formed at the end of 2005.

As global and domestic security challenges evolve, the role of the committee has never been more crucial. This oversight function gives parliament confidence that intelligence agencies maintain the cutting edge capabilities required to keep Australians safe. The events of this week have underlined that point. Revelations of Iran's antisemitic attacks targeting Australia's Jewish community are deeply disturbing. The Albanese government has acted swiftly and decisively in response to credible evidence provided by ASIO and the AFP. This is exactly how our system should work. Agencies provide incredible intelligence, and government responds with strength and clarity to protect our people. Much of this work is unseen. Our intelligence and security agencies work tirelessly to detect, disrupt and prevent threats from espionage, terrorism and foreign interference. These agencies deserve our sincere gratitude for their professionalism, vigilance and commitment to keeping all of us safe.

As chair, my vision is for a committee that strengthens not only the effectiveness of our intelligence agencies but also the public trust in their work. Our oversight must safeguard both the safety of Australians and the democratic values that we all cherish. I look forward to working constructively in a bipartisan way with my colleagues to deliver outcomes that strengthen both national security and our social cohesion. This vision aligns with that of the Albanese government for a secure, resilient and inclusive Australia; a nation where our people are protected, our institutions are strong and our social cohesion, built over many generations, is preserved. In the years ahead, I will work with colleagues across the parliament to ensure Australia's security framework remains fit for purpose against emerging challenges. I will always continue to place equal weight on protecting the unity of our diverse society because cohesion is itself a pillar of national security. The government will always prioritise the safety and security of every Australian, and that's why strong and effective oversight through the PJCIS is more important than ever.