The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) has commenced a review of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Amendment Bill 2023.
On 29 March 2023 the Minister for Home Affairs wrote to the Committee referring the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Amendment Bill 2023 for the Committee's review.
The Bill contains a suite of amendments to:
- uplift and harden Australia's highest-level of security clearance in response to the unprecedented threat from espionage and foreign interference confronting Australia, and
- drive shared initiatives and investments that improve interoperability and burden sharing as the Australian Government delivers critical national security capabilities.
The Bill would enable the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) to implement a consistent approach to issuing, maintaining and revoking Australia's highest-level security clearances that ensures Australia's most sensitive information, capability and secrets remain protected.
Mr Peter Khalil MP, Chair of the PJCIS said "Reviewing important national security legislation that, through the high-level access security clearances provide, will affect Australia's National Security architecture is a key part of the Parliamentary oversight work of the PJCIS. The review will provide assurance that these changes provide a security framework that will last well into the future."
Submissions are invited by Friday 21 April 2023. The Committee encourages concise submissions. Correspondence addressing individuals' security clearance issues will not be accepted as submissions to this inquiry.
Further information on the inquiry can be obtained from the Committee's website.
