1999-2000 in prospect

155. The following is a summary of the main activities planned for the office of Inspector-General during 1999-2000.

Inspection activities

ASIO

156. The intention is to inspect all applications for use of special powers warrants and associated documentation. If the ASIO Act amendment legislation referred to at paragraph 13 passes through the Parliament these inspections will be extended to include documentation related to warrants sought pursuant to that legislation. The legislation will also require the IGIS to report to the Attorney-General and the leader of the opposition on the frequency with which ASIO recovers listening and tracking devices after the relevant warrant period has expired.

157. The IGIS will have a role in monitoring any access by ASIO to AUSTRAC and taxation records. I expect to negotiate a memorandum of understanding with the Director of AUSTRAC about our respective roles. The draft memorandum will be provided to the Joint Parliamentary Committee on ASIO.

158. I and members of the office will inspect all requests for authorities to investigate (ATIs – see paragraphs 49-54) generated in ASIO's Canberra office and as many as possible on visits to regional offices. We will inspect the files on which action resulting from the ATIs is recorded, will examine records of authorities provided for less intrusive inquiries and will monitor the operation of the recently implemented revised arrangements.

159. As in previous years I will obtain reports from ASIO on its performance in response to applications for access to documents under the Archives Act.

160. ASIO has invited me to address training courses for its staff on ethics, both in Canberra and interstate, and I have agreed to do so. I and members of the office expect to visit several ASIO offices for this purpose and to conduct inspection work. When doing so I intend also, as appropriate, to discuss with senior members of law enforcement bodies the arrangements for exchange of information between them and ASIO.

ASIS

161. Inspection of records relating to ASIS's compliance with the nationality rules (see paragraphs 111-118) will remain a high priority and will be undertaken approximately every 2 months. I expect also to have further discussions with ASIS management about issues relating to interpretation of the rules and the guidance ASIS provides to its staff.

162. In view of the results of the cross-check we undertook in the reporting period, to independently assess the incidence of reporting which named Australians (see paragraphs 114-116), I propose to allocate more resources to such activity. The aim of this is to assist ASIS fine-tune its systems for identifying and recording reports naming Australians.

163. By arrangement with the Director-General I propose to inspect, retrospectively, the written advice ASIS provides to the Minister for Foreign Affairs in relation to ASIS operations.

164. The program of inspection of operational files will continue, with the objective of examining all records of current operations over the period of my appointment.

165. I will continue to meet with ASIS officers before they proceed on postings.

DSD

166. The principal activity will be regular inspection of DSD's compliance with its obligations under the nationality rules. (See paragraphs 127-132).

167. I also plan, as with ASIS, to implement a system of independent on-line cross-checks to assess the effectiveness of DSD's systems for recording instances of naming Australians in reports.

168. By arrangement with the Director I propose to inspect, retrospectively, the written advice DSD provides to the Minister for Defence in relation to DSD operations.

169. As in previous years, DSD could be expected to inform and consult my office on a range of operational matters and we will continue to assist with advice on issues related to legality and propriety.

170. I plan to visit and inspect the operations of at least one DSD facility outside Canberra.

Inquiries

171. Two substantial inquiries under the IGIS Act were in progress at the close of the reporting year. In both cases I would expect to report during the first half of the new reporting year.

172. There is also the ongoing inquiry into the espionage case, referred to at paragraph 25. I would expect to provide the Prime Minister with a report during the first half of the year.

173. It is not possible to predict future inquiry workload but there is no reason to expect any significant departure from previous years' patterns.