The Albanese Government has passed legislation to ensure the public can continue to trust that our intelligence agencies are using their powers responsibly and in the interests of all Australians.
The Strengthening Oversight of the National Intelligence Community Bill 2025 expands the oversight functions of the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security and the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security to cover all ten agencies of the National Intelligence Community.
As national security threats become increasingly complex and interconnected, the National Intelligence Community is entrusted with significant powers to detect, disrupt and respond to threats and protect Australians from those who would seek to do us harm. The Bill ensures the use of these powers is subject to strong checks and balances by establishing a consistent and specialised oversight regime for these agencies.
The Bill is the most significant reform to intelligence oversight in decades and delivers on key recommendations made by previous independent reviews of Australia's intelligence community to ensure that our intelligence framework is modern, accountable and fit for purpose.
Quotes attributable to the Attorney-General, Hon Michelle Rowland MP:
"The Albanese Government is committed to an intelligence community that can keep Australians safe and is trusted by the public.
"Australians deserve to have confidence that intelligence agencies are exercising their powers lawfully and responsibly. This legislation reinforces that confidence.
"These reforms strengthen the safeguards that sit at the heart of Australia's national security architecture and ensure our oversight framework is fit for the modern era.
"Oversight is a core part of how a healthy democracy protects its people."
