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Office of National Assessments
What ONA does
419. The role of the Office of National Assessments is to produce analytical assessments of international developments. ONA produces reports, appreciations and assessments on international developments and strategic and economic matters in order to assist the government and Commonwealth agencies in the formation of policy and plans.
420. ONA bases its assessments on information available both inside and outside government. It draws on secret intelligence collected by other agencies, as well as diplomatic reporting and open source material including news media and other publications.
421. Further information can be found on the Office of National Assessments website.
Accountability arrangements
422. As indicated above, ONA is an analytical agency rather than a collector of intelligence.
423. Recognition of this is reflected in the fact that the Inspector General of Intelligence and Security Act provides the Inspector General with limited powers and responsibilities in relation to ONA.
424. Although the Inspector General has few formal responsibilities for ONA, I have consultations with and briefings from the Director-General when necessary.
Complaints and inquiries
425. There were no complaints about or inquiries into ONA during the reporting period.