16th Jun 2021, 11:06 AM – Senate Transport Security Amendment (Serious Crime) Bill 2020 - in Committee - Oversight of ACIC

The majority voted against amendment (1) on sheet 1099, introduced by NSW Senator Kristina Keneally (Labor), which means it failed.

What did the amendment do?

Senator Keneally explained that:

this is an amendment that seeks to expand the role of IGIS [Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security], the independent inspector, to include oversight of the ACIC [Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission]. This was recommended by the 2017 intelligence review. Despite the government claiming to accept that recommendation, it's taken over three years to finally introduce legislation to implement it. But they have continued to give the ACIC new functions and new powers. Given the nature of the ACIC's work and the potential impact it can have on fundamental rights and freedoms, this amendment seeks to ensure the ACIC's intelligence related work is subject to the same degree of rigorous oversight as that of other intelligence agencies.

What does the bill do?

The bill was introduced in order to:

• prevent the use of aviation and maritime transport or offshore facilities in connection with serious crime;
• establish a regulatory framework to implement harmonised eligibility criteria for the aviation security identification card (ASIC) and maritime security identification card (MSIC) schemes;
• clarify and align the legislative basis for undertaking security checking of ASIC and MSIC applicants and holders;
• provide for regulations to prescribe penalties for offences; and
• insert an additional severability provision to provide guidance to a court as to Parliament’s intention.

Read more in the bills digest.