Download Fragment

Tuesday, 21 June 2011
Page: 6811

Mr GRAY (Brand—Special Minister of State for the Public Service and Integrity and Special Minister of State) (19:30): The Australian government is committed to fulfilling its responsibility to protect Australia, its people and its interests, while instilling confidence that our intelligence and security agencies conduct themselves and exercise their powers in a just and reasonable way. The Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security Amendment Bill 2011 will ensure the IGIS is able to undertake the work of the Office of the IGIS more effectively and efficiently. It will strengthen the accountability and oversight framework governing the activities of the agencies that make up the Australian intelligence community in order to provide greater assurance regarding the legality and propriety of their activities. I commend the bill to the House and I thank honourable members for their contribution to the debate.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER ( Ms Vamvakinou ): Is the member for Cowan seeking leave to speak on the bill?

Mr Simpkins: I look forward to my shadow minister coming up fairly soon.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: If it suits the convenience of the Main Committee, the chair will resume in five minutes.

Proceed ings suspended from 19:32 to 19 : 35