Role of the Inspector-General
The Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security (IGIS) is an independent statutory office holder who assists the Prime Minister, the Attorney-General, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Minister for Defence, to oversight and review the activities of the six agencies which collectively comprise the Australian Intelligence Community (AIC).
The intelligence and security agencies which make up the AIC are the:
- Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO)
- Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS)
- Defence Signals Directorate (DSD)
- Defence Imagery and Geospatial Organisation (DIGO)
- Defence Intelligence Organisation (DIO), and
- Office of National Assessments (ONA).
Other government agencies which play important roles in safeguarding Australia’s national interests are subject to review by the Commonwealth Ombudsman. The IGIS and the Ombudsman liaise where necessary.
The purpose of the oversight and review activities undertaken by the IGIS is to ensure that each AIC agency acts legally and with propriety, complies with ministerial guidelines and directives, and respects human rights.
The office was formally established by the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security Act 1986 (IGIS Act) and commenced operating on 1 February 1987. The office will therefore be celebrating its twentieth anniversary in the coming reporting period.
The Office of the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security (OIGIS) is situated within the Prime Minister’s portfolio for administrative purposes, but as an independent statutory office holder, the IGIS is not subject to general direction from the Prime Minister.
The role and functions of the IGIS are set out in sections 8, 9 and 9A of the IGIS Act. Generally speaking, the Inspector-General can undertake an inquiry into the activities of an AIC agency in response to a complaint or a request from a minister.
In addition to this, the IGIS can act independently to initiate inquiries and is also empowered to conduct regular inspections and monitoring of agency activities.
When in inquiry mode the IGIS has significant powers which are akin to those of a Royal Commission.
The IGIS has a statutory requirement to conduct inquiries in private. The reason for this is that IGIS inquiries frequently review matters which involve highly classified or sensitive information, and the methods by which it is collected. The public ventilation of this material would be potentially injurious to persons involved in collection activities and would not serve the national interest.
Further information about the role and functions of the IGIS is provided elsewhere in this report, can be found by reference to the IGIS Act, and is also available at Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security.