Committee calls for greater AFP oversight

The report recommended that the Intelligence Services Act 2001 be amended to include Australian Federal Police counter-terrorism elements in the list of organisations that the committee reviews.

Chair of the Inquiry Arch Bevis said: "ASIO, the Australian Secret Intelligence Service, the Defence Intelligence Organisation, the Defence Signals Directorate, the Defence Imagery and Geospatial Organisation, and the Office of National Assessments all currently report to the Intelligence and Secuity Committee.

"The only organisation not required to report is those elements of the AGP engaged in counter-terrorism functions.

"Requiring the AFP counter-terrorism element to appear before the Parliamentary Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence and Security would reflect normal oversight practice as applied to all other Commonwealth departments and agencies."

Amongst the report's seven other recommendations were:
- that the Government agree to amending the Intelligence Services Act 2001 to enable specific material which does not affect current operational activity to be provided to the committee.

A small working group drawn from relevant departments, agencies and the committee would be set up to prepare this amendment for consideration by the Government.

- that, should the proposal to amend the open access period of the Archives Act 1983 proceed, consideration should be given to special provisions for Australian Intelligence Community documents to be exempted, on a case by case basis, from release at 20 years.

- that, due to the increased activities of the Australian Intelligence Community and the additional functions required of the Inspector General of Intelligence and Security, the budget of the Office of the IGIS be increased.

Downloadable copies of the report are available on the committee's inquiry website at: http://www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/pjcis/reports.htm