Australian Secret Intelligence Service

General

126. In February 1998, Mr Rex Stevenson retired as Director-General of ASIS, and was replaced by Mr Allan Taylor AM.

127. Mr Stevenson gave long and devoted service to ASIS over many years and did much to craft it into the organisation it is today. In recognition of his achievement, he received an award of AO in the 1998 Queen's Birthday honours list.

128. Mr Taylor comes to the position of Director-General of ASIS following a distinguished career as a diplomat and senior government adviser. I look forward to working with Mr Taylor, and wish him well in meeting the challenges of his new appointment.

Monitoring Activities

129. In February 1997, my predecessor wrote to the then Director-General of ASIS, seeking to regularise his monitoring activities. Mr McLeod set out a list of those activities he wished to undertake and an indicative timetable. This proposal was agreed and provided the framework for all of the monitoring activities conducted since then.

130. In May 1998, having undertaken some monitoring activity myself, I wrote to the Director-General of ASIS clarifying and providing more detail about the procedures, and providing a guide to the frequency with which I intend to conduct these activities. These proposals were accepted without question.

131. In the four months between taking up my appointment and the end of this reporting period my staff and I conducted a number of monitoring activities. These have focussed on:

  • ASIS's handling of foreign intelligence information where reference has been made to Australian entities; and
  • retrospectively reviewing selected operational files to ensure that ASIS's activities were both lawful and proper.

132. These activities generated a number of procedural queries, which were all addressed to my satisfaction.

133. In last year's annual report, my predecessor indicated that the rules governing the manner in which ASIS reports and distributes foreign intelligence information were to be reviewed in the year ahead.

134. Mr McLeod and I both contributed to this review. I am pleased that our suggestions have been accepted and the new rules were promulgated in June 1998.

135. I have also spoken at a staff training course, and while not strictly a monitoring activity, I welcome such opportunities as I consider interaction of this kind can only be of benefit to both ASIS and my office.

136. In the year ahead I plan to adhere to the monitoring program I have put to the Director-General, adjusting it as experience dictates.

Complaints about ASIS

137. During the 1997-98 reporting period my office received no complaints or referrals concerning ASIS.