The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) has commenced a review of the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) reform package, consisting of the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission Bill 2026 and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (National Policing Information Charges) Bill 2026.
The bills, which were introduced into the Parliament on 25 March 2026, would establish the ACIC under a new Act, aiming to clarify its role and enhance its ability to obtain, analyse, evaluate and communicate intelligence relevant to serious and organised crime.
The bills are intended to give effect to the Australian Government's response to the 2024 Independent Review of the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission and associated Commonwealth law enforcement arrangements (the Independent Review of ACIC). The Independent Review of ACIC found that the ACIC's current legislative framework is no longer fit for purpose and inhibits it from fulfilling its criminal intelligence mandate.
Chair of the PJCIS, Senator Raff Ciccone, said:
"The Independent Review of the ACIC found that the ACIC needed to be more clearly defined as Australia's national criminal intelligence agency, focused on producing unique and incisive intelligence on serious and organised crime.
"This inquiry will aim to ensure the reform package achieves this objective, avoids unintended consequences and provides the ACIC with a secure footing to adapt and respond to the rapidly evolving landscape of serious and organised crime".
The Committee invites written submissions to be provided by Friday, 5 June 2026.
