✦ Plain-English Summary

Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Amendment 2020

What it does

This law gives ASIO (Australia's domestic spy agency) two new powers: the ability to force people to answer questions in secret hearings, and the ability to track people's movements using tracking devices. The changes amend the main law that governs what ASIO can and can't do.

Why it matters

These are significant expansions of government surveillance powers. If you're questioned by ASIO under these new rules, you can be forced to answer and face jail time if you refuse — even if you're just a regular person caught up in an investigation, not an actual suspect of a crime.

Key details

• Compulsory questioning: ASIO can now force people to answer questions in closed hearings. Refusing to answer can result in criminal penalties.
• Tracking devices: ASIO gains new authority to place tracking devices on people or objects to monitor their movements.
• Timeline: Most of these powers came into effect by September 2020, though some provisions had staggered commencement dates depending on other legislation passing first.

Official Description

Implements the government's response to the report of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security into ASIO's questioning and detention powers by amending the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1979 in relation to compulsory questioning powers and tracking devices. Also amends four Acts to make consequential amendments; and makes amendments contingent on the commencement of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Act 2020 .

Committee Referrals

Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security; Senate Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills; Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights

No formal division recorded

This bill passed by voice vote — parliament agreed without calling a formal count. A division is only recorded when a member explicitly requests one.

No votes yet.

No votes were recorded for this bill.