Raff Ciccone (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I present the report of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security on the Review of administration and expenditure no. 22 (2022-2023): Australian intelligence agencies. I move:

That the Senate take note of the report.

I also have some remarks in relation to the report I've just tabled—theReview of administration and expenditure no. 22 (2022-2023): Australian intelligence agencies. This review is one of the key functions of the intelligence and security committee, set out by section 29 of the Intelligence Services Act 2001, and is undertaken on an annual basis. The committee is empowered to review the administration and expenditure of six of the 10 agencies that form part of Australia's National Intelligence Community, known as the NIC—they are ASIO, ASIS, AGO, DIO, ASD and ONI. In conducting its administration and expenditure reviews, the committee examined a large volume of classified evidence. For that reason, much of the detail of the review is not able to be publicly reported. The committee's report to parliament and my comments to the Senate today provide an unclassified, general overview of the committee's key findings.

Having reviewed the administration of the six agencies for the 2022-23 financial year, the committee is satisfied that they are administering their outcomes and outputs effectively. In reviewing the expenditure of the agencies, the committee is similarly satisfied with their financial integrity, with their efforts to achieve value for money for the Australian taxpayer and with their management of budget and expenditure over the reporting period. The committee notes that the 2022-23 financial year continued on a trajectory of growth and change for several agencies, with the ongoing implementation of significant initiatives commencing the previous year, including ASD's REDSPICE program and the development of the National Security Office Precinct. The committee's monitoring these major projects, including by receiving regular briefings from relevant agencies on their progress and administration.

In this review, the committee identified some specific focus areas for discussion with the agencies, including artificial intelligence, machine learning and bio-intelligence; the agencies' efforts to attract and retain staff with native language proficiency; and the agencies' use of external contractors. The committee was satisfied overall with the evidence it received on these areas of focus, while identifying some matters on which improvement could be made. The information provided by the intelligence agencies in relation to their engagement with AI and machine learning was detailed and useful. The committee was also pleased to see the agencies thinking and planning carefully to ensure the appropriate and effective use of these complex technological tools. The committee welcomed the agencies' engagement with the issue of attracting and retaining diverse staff with native language proficiency.

Regarding the use of contractors by the intelligence agencies, the committee did not identify significant concerns, and noted efforts by some to review and rationalise their use of external consultants. The committee encourages the agencies to continue their endeavours and their transparency in this regard.

The review of administration and expenditure remains an invaluable function of the committee, helping to provide the Australian public with confidence in the effectiveness and efficiency of Australia's intelligence agencies. These reviews form one key part of the comprehensive oversight of the intelligence community undertaken by the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security and by other bodies.

The committee extends its appreciation to the six reviewed agencies for their engagement in the process and their candour in classified hearings of the committee. In addition, the committee would like to thank the Office of Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security, and the Australian National Audit Office, for their contribution of useful evidence to the committee's considerations. On that note, I commend the report to the Senate. I seek to leave to continue my remarks later, in case any other senators would like to make a contribution.

Leave granted; debate adjourned.