New terror measures to help Aussie spies
Australia's foreign spies could be given new powers to better assist the defence force in its military operations against Islamic State fighters in Iraq.
The new measures aim to bring co-operation between the Australian Secret Intelligence Service and the Australian Defence Force in Iraq to the level seen in the fight against the Taliban in Afghanistan.
Attorney-General George Brandis introduced the new legislation to the Senate on Wednesday shortly after the federal government's second suite of counter-terrorism bills cleared the upper house.
ASIS assisted the ADF in Afghanistan by reporting on the Taliban leadership and provided tactical support, including for operations by special forces soldiers.
Its secretive role is credited with saving the lives of Australian soldiers and civilians, especially those kidnapped in the war-torn nation.
But the situation on the ground is much different in Iraq.
The government says relying on the existing provisions would "severely limit" their ability in Iraq to provide quick support to troops.
The proposed amendments will make it clear that it's a statutory function of ASIS to assist the ADF in military operations and co-operate on intelligence.
The legislation will also make changes to allow ASIS to execute its "new function" in Iraq quickly without having to wait for written approval by a senior minister.
The existing rules for approving emergency activities are "incompatible" with circumstances of extreme urgency and threaten opportunities to collect vital intelligence.
The amendments would allow for the prime minister, attorney-general, defence minister or foreign minister to give oral authorisation in times of emergency, followed by a written statement.
But if none are available at the time, the head of either ASIS, the Australian Signals Directorate and the Australian Geospatial Intelligence Organisation can step in.
The emergency authorisations will expire after 48 hours.
The new laws also provide contingency arrangements should the attorney-general be absent and approval is needed for an operation involving an Australian who could be a threat to national security.
It's not clear exactly what new role ASIS will play, but the West Australian newspaper is reporting it could involve spies helping the ADF locate Australian jihadists on the battlefield in Iraq.
The legislation makes a vague reference to allowing ASIS - with ministerial approval - to undertake activities related to "classes of Australian persons".
The new ASIS bill has been referred to the joint parliamentary committee that oversees intelligence matters for review.
The committee - which scrutinised the last suite of counter-terrorism laws - has until November 17 to report back.
