Australian Security Intelligence Organization Amendment Act 1988

No. 137 of 1988

An Act to amend sections 85 and 86 of the Australian Security Intelligence Organization Act 1979, and for related purposes

[Assented to 26 December 1988]

BE IT ENACTED by the Queen, and the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia, as follows:

PART I—PRELIMINARY

Short title

1. This Act may be cited as the Australian Security Intelligence Organization Amendment Act 1988.

Commencement

2. This Act commences on the day on which it receives the Royal Assent.

PART II—AMENDMENTS OF THE ASIO ACT 1979

Principal Act

3. In this Part, “Principal Act” means the Australian Security Intelligence Organization Act 1979¹.

Guidelines

4. Section 8a of the Principal Act is amended by omitting subsection (1) and substituting the following subsection:

“(1) The Minister may, from time to time, by written notice given to the Director-General, give to the Director-General guidelines to be observed:

(a) in the performance by the Organization of its functions or the exercise of its powers; or

(b) in the exercise by the Director-General of his or her powers under sections 85 and 86.”.

Designation of offices etc.

5. Section 85 of the Principal Act is amended by omitting from subsection (1) “the Chairman of the Public Service Board, the Secretary to the Attorney-General’s Department and”.

Conditions of employment

6. Section 86 of the Principal Act is amended by omitting “the Chairman of the Public Service Board, the Secretary to the Attorney-General’s Department and”.

PART III—AMENDMENT OF THE ASIO AMENDMENT ACT 1986

Principal Act

7. In this Part, “Principal Act” means the Australian Security Intelligence Organization Amendment Act 1986².

Repeal of sections 34 and 35

8. Sections 34 and 35 of the Principal Act are repealed.

NOTES

1. No. 113, 1979, as amended. For previous amendments, see No. 182, 1979; No. 65, 1985; No. 122, 1986; and Nos. 89 and 141, 1987.

2. No. 122, 1986.

[Minister’s second reading speech made in—

House of Representatives on 12 October 1988

Senate on 10 November 1988]