Australia's security posture "rapidly deteriorating"

Parliament has warned that Australia is facing a “rapidly deteriorating security environment” characterised by “unprecedented levels of foreign interference, cyber attacks and terrorism”.

The escalating crisis has led to a record high workload for the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS).

Throughout the 46^th Parliament term, the PJCIS tabled 38 reports, including 23 in the past 12 months alone, demonstrating the growing issue.

In its annual report for 2020–2021, the PCJIS has reiterated its recommendation that the parts of the Intelligence Services Act 2001 which govern the work of the committee should be referred to the PJCIS at the commencement of the 47th Parliament.

Among the legislation recommended by the Committee was the Surveillance Legislation Amendment (Identify and Disrupt) Bill 2020, which introduced new powers for law enforcement agencies to tackle serious online crime.

Other bills include the Security Legislation Amendment (Critical Infrastructure Protection) Bill 2022, which establishes tools for bringing together government and industry to strengthen defences against nation state threats, and the Intelligence Oversight and Other Legislation Amendment, which introduces oversight mechanisms for new intelligence service capabilities.

During the term, the PCJIS also secured the listings of both Hamas and Hezbollah in their entirety as terrorist organisations. Domestically, the Inquiry into Extremist Movements and Radicalism in Australia remains ongoing and will likely be taken up by the next PJCIS.

Current Committee Chair Senator James Paterson said the next committee will also have its work cut out for it as threats continue to escalate.

“The most important task of the PJCIS is to help keep Australia safe and free. With foreign interference, cyber threats and terrorism at their highest levels yet, this task has never been more important,” he said.

“Our strategic environment is experiencing the most consequential realignment since the Second World War and we need to ensure security agencies have the right tools to protect our nation, and the right oversight mechanisms to ensure they retain public confidence for their important work.”

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