Australian Government: Attorney-General's Department
Australian Government: Attorney-General's DepartmentAchieving a Just and Secure Society

The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security

The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) is one of the key parliamentary bodies providing scrutiny of counter-terrorism laws.  The PJCIS conducts reviews into the listing of terrorist organisations, counter-terrorism and national security laws, the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation and telecommunications interception laws.

Recent reviews of the PJCIS:

In accordance with paragraph 29(1)(bb) of the Intelligence Services Act 2001, the PJCIS has reviewed the operation, effectiveness and implications of ASIO’s questioning and detention powers under Division 3 of Part III of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1979.  The PJCIS tabled its report in Parliament on 30 November 2005.  

The Government’s response to the Committee’s report was tabled in Parliament on 29 March 2006, and legislation implementing the Government’s response commenced on 19 June 2006.  In accordance with the Government’s response, the ASIO Legislation Amendment Act 2006 clarified the regime and enhanced rights and safeguards in a way that did not undermine the regime’s fundamental purpose.  That Act also ensured that ASIO’s questioning and detention powers will continue for another 10 years beyond the July 2006 sunset period.