Senator Joe Ludwig |
Hon Robert McClelland MP |
17/2010
18 March 2010
Special Minister of State, Senator Joe Ludwig, today welcomed the passage of the Independent National Security Legislation Monitor Bill 2010.
The purpose of this Bill is to establish the position of the National Security Legislation Monitor. The Government expects to announce the appointment of the new Monitor shortly.
“The Independent National Security Legislation Monitor will review and report on the operation, effectiveness and implications of Australia’s counter‑terrorism and national security legislation on an ongoing basis,” Senator Ludwig said.
“This reflects the Government’s commitment to ensure Australia has strong counter-terrorism laws that protect the security of Australians, while preserving the values and freedoms that are part of our way of life.”
“The Monitor will also be responsible for considering if counter-terrorism and national security laws remain necessary and are proportionate to any threat of terrorism or to national security.”
The Bill represents implementation of bipartisan recommendations of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security, the Hon John Clarke QC’s Inquiry into the Case of Dr Mohamed Haneef and the Sheller Committee of 2006.
“The Government is seeking to achieve an appropriate balance between its responsibility to protect Australia, its people and its interests while instilling confidence in the community that national security and counter-terrorism laws will be exercised in an accountable way in accordance with the rule of law,” Attorney General, Robert McClelland said.
“An independent reviewer will play an important role in striking this necessary balance and I am proud to be able to facilitate the passage of this legislation.”
Like the UK model, the role of the Monitor will be undertaken by one person who will be independent from the current administration of the counter-terrorism legislation. The Monitor may initiate his or her own investigations, or the Prime Minister may refer a matter to the Monitor to review within a specified timeframe.
| Media Contacts: | Website: |
|---|---|
| Senator Ludwig's Office - Sarah Cosson - 0423 823 843 | www.cabinetsecretary.gov.au www.smos.gov.au |
| Attorney-General's Office - Adam Siddique - 0407 473 630 | www.ag.gov.au |