Second Reading Speech
Mr Downer (Minister for Foreign Affairs)I move:
That the bill be now read a second time.
The Intelligence Services (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2001 provides for the legislative amendments necessary as a result of the Intelligence Services Bill 2001 which relates to three agencies in the Australian Intelligence Community: the Australian Secret Intelligence Service, ASIS; the Defence Signals Directorate, DSD; and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, ASIO. The bill caters for amendments to the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1979 stemming from the establishment of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on ASIO and ASIS, which replaces the Parliamentary Joint Committee on ASIO. The bill allows for necessary amendments to the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security Act 1986. The Office of the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security is responsible for oversight for ASIS and DSD. Finally, the bill also addresses minor amendments to legislation resulting from ASIS being placed on a statutory footing. I commend the bill to the House and present the explanatory memorandum.
Debate (on motion by Mr Horne) adjourned.