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Audit Committee tables Interim Report on Synergy 360-linked Inquiry into Procurement at Services Australia and NDIA

THE Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit (JCPAA) has tabled an interim report for its inquiry into procurement at Services Australia and the NDIA which were connected with consulting firm Synergy 360.

The report recommends that the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) examine the evidence gathered by the committee to date to determine whether to conduct a fuller investigation to establish the substance of the serious allegations made in relation to former Minister Stuart Robert and Synergy 360.

Committee Chair Julian Hill MP said, “A referral to the NACC should never be made lightly and is not done so here. There appears to be no other appropriate course of action however in light of the serious and systemic nature of the allegations raised.

“The committee has established a number of matters but is unable, given its resources, lack of forensic accounting expertise, and the refusal so far of key witnesses to provide documents or fully answer questions, to make clear findings as to the truth. An agency with compulsory questioning, document gathering, and investigatory powers may be able to properly assess these matters.

“Throughout this inquiry the committee has sought to always act in the public interest. The inquiry is ongoing, and a final report will be tabled as soon as possible.”

Concerning reports were received of alleged financial impropriety, improper relationships and undisclosed conflicts of interest with parties receiving contracts from the Commonwealth.

Rebutting these allegations, Mr Robert, his longtime friend, business partner and political fundraiser Mr John Margerison, Synergy 360 principal Mr David Milo and others strongly deny improper conduct, hence the evidence before the inquiry is directly conflicting.

The committee has also recommended that the Speaker authorise the commissioning of legal advice regarding the nature of the committee’s statutory powers under sections 13 – 15 of its legislation, including situations where a person claims to be resident overseas.

Further information is available on the inquiry website.

 

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Public hearing on National Redress Scheme this evening

THE Committee on the National Redress Scheme will be holding a public hearing this evening for an inquiry into the National Redress Scheme.

The committee will hear evidence from People With Disability Australia commencing at 6pm.

The inquiry is looking into a range of areas, including:

  • The experience of First Nations applicants and applicants with disability in their dealings with the Scheme.
  • Accessibility, performance and effectiveness of support services and legal advice for survivors and their advocates.

Full details of what the inquiry is examining can be found in the terms of reference on the committee’s website. An easy English guide is also available.

Public hearing details

Tuesday 12 September 20236pm to around 6:45pm (Canberra time)Committee Room 1R4, Parliament House, CanberraListen online at www.aph.gov.au/News_and_Events/Watch_Parliament

 

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PJCIS approves rules for sharing foreign influence scheme information

THE Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) has endorsed rules that allow sharing of information between administrators of the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme (FITS) and the Foreign Arrangements Scheme (FAS).

Committee Chair Peter Khalil MP today presented to Parliament a report by statement on the Committee’s review of the Rules, made under subsection 53(2) of the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Act 2018 (FITS Act).

The new Rules authorise the Secretary of the Attorney-General's Department, which administers the FITS, to communicate FITS information to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), who are responsible for the FAS.

The committee agreed that streamlining interoperability between the two schemes was a legitimate and reasonable purpose for sharing FITS information with DFAT for the FAS.

The committee encouraged the government to consider a legislative amendment to similarly allow sharing information in the other direction, from the FAS to the FITS. The committee also urged administrators to take whatever measures they can to minimise the compliance burden on entities that may fall within both schemes.

The committee is undertaking a separate review of the FITS Act in its entirety, and looks forward to reporting to Parliament on that in due course.

Further information on both inquiries can be obtained from the Committee’s website.

 

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Intelligence and Security Committee to review ASIO’s compulsory questioning powers

THE Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) has commenced an inquiry into the operation, effectiveness and implications of Division 3 of Part III of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1979 (the ASIO Act) which relates to compulsory questioning powers.

Division 3 of Part III of the ASIO Act provides for the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) to request that the Attorney-General issue a warrant to require a person to appear before a prescribed authority to give information, or produce a record or other thing, that is, or may be, relevant to intelligence that is important in relation to a questioning matter.

Chair of the PJCIS, Peter Khalil MP said, “This review will provide a valuable opportunity to consider the effectiveness of questioning warrants in relation to espionage, politically motivated violence and foreign interference, and the continued appropriateness of the current compulsory questioning laws.”

The committee requested submissions to the inquiry by Thursday, February 1, 2024.

Further information on the inquiry can be obtained from the Committee’s website.

 

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Committee to review AFP counter-terrorism powers

THE Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) has commenced a review of the Counter-Terrorism and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2023.

The Bill was introduced into Parliament by the Attorney-General on August 10, 2023, and he then referred it to the PJCIS for review and report.

The Bill would extend the operation of Australian Federal Police (AFP) powers relating to terrorism under the Crimes Act 1914 (Crimes Act) and the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Criminal Code) for a further three years, to December 2026. Those powers relate to:

  • authority to stop, question and search persons and seize items in Commonwealth places, including in ‘prescribed security zones’ (Crimes Act, Part 1AA, Division 3A);
  • the control order regime (Criminal Code Division 104); and
  • the preventative detention order regime (Criminal Code Division 105).

The Bill would amend some conditions and requirements for the use of these powers, in response to the recommendations of a review of police powers undertaken by the PJCIS and presented to Parliament in October 2021.

The Bill would also extend the operation of Commonwealth secrecy offences under the Criminal Code for 12 months to December 2024, to allow the Government to complete its current review of Commonwealth secrecy provisions and consider any necessary reforms.

Chair of the PJCIS, Peter Khalil MP said, “The Australian Federal Police holds significant powers to protect the community against terrorism. This review will allow the committee to consider the government’s response to its previous recommendations to strengthen safeguards on those powers; and to ensure that the powers remain necessary and appropriate.”

Submissions to the inquiry are invited by Friday, October 6, 2023.

Further information on the inquiry can be obtained from the Committee’s website.

 

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