George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Hansard source

The functions comprehended by those sections are not delegations of the Director-General's power. So, with respect, I think your question is based on a false premise, as I keep reminding you, Senator. There is to be found in the ASIO Act the power to delegate. The powers of ASIO are ultimately vested in the Director-General and in offices of ASIO. Merely to enter into an arrangement with an external entity, which would fall within the definition of an ASIO affiliate, is not to delegate a power. As I keep pointing out—I do not know how many times I have to say this—there is no capacity to delegate operational powers.