Independent National Security Legislation Monitor Annual Report 2018-2019
Publication date
Prepared by
Dr James Renwick CSC SC
This annual report relates to the period between 1 July 2018 and 30 June 2019.
Key Recommendations
- That the INSLM Act now be amended to provide for an express power for the INSLM to report on a matter or matters within the statutory mandate but more urgently or particularly than by the annual report.
- That the INSLM Act now be amended to require a formal response by the executive government to INSLM reports to be tabled in the Parliament within 12 months of delivery of the reports.
- Noting that my term ends on 30 June 2020, that the Prime Minister take all necessary steps to ensure that the appointment of my successor as INSLM is made in time to allow that person to commence work on 1 July 2020.
- That the Intelligence Services Act be amended to create a legal obligation modelled on s 94 of the ASIO Act requiring that the classified Annual Reports of ASIS and ASD be provided to the Leader of the Opposition in the House of Representatives, coupled with a duty for that person to treat as secret any parts of those reports not tabled in the Parliament.
- That the Intelligence Services Act be amended by adding as s 29(1)(d) a provision that the PJCIS’ functions are to include the following: (d) to report to both Houses of the Parliament, with such comments as it thinks fit, upon any recommendation made by the INSLM in an Annual Report or any other INSLM report, which, in the opinion of the Committee, the attention of the Parliament should be directed.