Commonwealth Coat of Arms of Australia

 

 

 

 

 

 

Office of National Intelligence (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2018

 

No. 156, 2018

 

 

 

 

 

An Act to deal with consequential and transitional matters in connection with the Office of National Intelligence Act 2018, and for related purposes

 

 

Contents

1 Short title

2 Commencement

3 Schedules

Schedule 1—Repeal of the Office of National Assessments Act 1977

Office of National Assessments Act 1977

Schedule 2—Consequential amendments

Acts Interpretation Act 1901

Age Discrimination Act 2004

AntiMoney Laundering and CounterTerrorism Financing Act 2006

Archives Act 1983

Australian Border Force Act 2015

Australian Crime Commission Act 2002

Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986

Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1979

Crimes Act 1914

Criminal Code Act 1995

Defence Act 1903

Freedom of Information Act 1982

Independent National Security Legislation Monitor Act 2010

InspectorGeneral of Intelligence and Security Act 1986

Intelligence Services Act 2001

Privacy Act 1988

Public Interest Disclosure Act 2013

Remuneration and Allowances Act 1990

Schedule 3—Amendments contingent on the National Security Legislation Amendment (Espionage and Foreign Interference) Act 2018

Criminal Code Act 1995

Schedule 4—Transitional provisions

Part 1—Definitions

Part 2—DirectorGeneral’s continued appointment

Part 3—References to, and things done by or in relation to, ONA or the DirectorGeneral

Part 4—Miscellaneous

Commonwealth Coat of Arms of Australia

 

 

Office of National Intelligence (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2018

No. 156, 2018

 

 

 

An Act to deal with consequential and transitional matters in connection with the Office of National Intelligence Act 2018, and for related purposes

[Assented to 10 December 2018]

The Parliament of Australia enacts:

1  Short title

  This Act is the Office of National Intelligence (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2018.

2  Commencement

 (1) Each provision of this Act specified in column 1 of the table commences, or is taken to have commenced, in accordance with column 2 of the table. Any other statement in column 2 has effect according to its terms.

 

Commencement information

Column 1

Column 2

Column 3

Provisions

Commencement

Date/Details

1.  Sections 1 to 3 and anything in this Act not elsewhere covered by this table

The day this Act receives the Royal Assent.

10 December 2018

2.  Schedules 1 and 2

At the same time as section 3 of the Office of National Intelligence Act 2018 commences.

However, the provisions do not commence at all if that section does not commence.

20 December 2018

3.  Schedule 3

The later of:

(a) the commencement of section 3 of the Office of National Intelligence Act 2018; and

(b) immediately after the commencement of Schedule 2 to the National Security Legislation Amendment (Espionage and Foreign Interference) Act 2018.

However, the provisions do not commence at all unless both of the events mentioned in paragraphs (a) and (b) occur.

29 December 2018

(paragraph (b) applies)

4.  Schedule 4

Immediately after the commencement of section 3 of the Office of National Intelligence Act 2018.

20 December 2018

Note: This table relates only to the provisions of this Act as originally enacted. It will not be amended to deal with any later amendments of this Act.

 (2) Any information in column 3 of the table is not part of this Act. Information may be inserted in this column, or information in it may be edited, in any published version of this Act.

3  Schedules

  Legislation that is specified in a Schedule to this Act is amended or repealed as set out in the applicable items in the Schedule concerned, and any other item in a Schedule to this Act has effect according to its terms.

Schedule 1Repeal of the Office of National Assessments Act 1977

 

Office of National Assessments Act 1977

1  The whole of the Act

Repeal the Act.

Schedule 2Consequential amendments

 

Acts Interpretation Act 1901

1  After subsection 34C(7)

Insert:

 (7A) This section applies to the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, the Australian Signals Directorate and the Office of National Intelligence in the following way:

 (a) subsection (3) does not apply;

 (b) if an extension is granted under subsection (5), then for the purpose of subsection (6), paragraph (6)(c) is to be disregarded.

2  Subsection 34C(8)

Repeal the subsection, substitute:

 (8) This section does not apply in relation to the Australian Secret Intelligence Service.

Age Discrimination Act 2004

3  Schedule 1 (table item 35)

Repeal the item.

AntiMoney Laundering and CounterTerrorism Financing Act 2006

4  Section 5 (paragraph (ge) of the definition of designated agency)

Repeal the paragraph, substitute:

 (ge) ONI; or

5  Section 5

Insert:

DirectorGeneral of National Intelligence means the DirectorGeneral of National Intelligence holding office under the Office of National Intelligence Act 2018.

6  Section 5 (definition of ONA)

Repeal the definition.

7  Section 5

Insert:

ONI means the Office of National Intelligence.

8  Subsection 128(13C) (heading)

Repeal the heading, substitute:

ONI officials

9  Subsection 128(13C)

Omit “ONA” (wherever occurring), substitute “ONI”.

10  Subparagraph 128(19)(a)(iv)

Omit “ONA”, substitute “ONI”.

11  Section 133C (heading)

Omit “DirectorGeneral of ONA”, substitute “DirectorGeneral of National Intelligence”.

12  Subsection 133C(1)

Omit “DirectorGeneral of ONA”, substitute “DirectorGeneral of National Intelligence”.

13  Subsection 133C(2)

Repeal the subsection (not including the note), substitute:

 (2) The DirectorGeneral of National Intelligence may, in writing, authorise an official of ONI to access the AUSTRAC information and communicate it to the foreign intelligence agency on the DirectorGeneral’s behalf.

14  Saving of authorisations

An authorisation by the AUSTRAC CEO under subsection 126(1) of the AntiMoney Laundering and CounterTerrorism Financing Act 2006 that:

 (a) relates to a:

 (i) specified official of the Office of National Assessments or ONA; or

 (ii) a specified class of officials of the Office of National Assessments or ONA; and

 (b) is in force immediately before the day this item commences;

continues in force on and after that day as if it were an authorisation by the AUSTRAC CEO under that subsection in relation to the specified official, or specified class of officials, of the Office of National Intelligence or ONI.

Archives Act 1983

15  Paragraph 29(8)(e)

Repeal the paragraph, substitute:

 (e) the Office of National Intelligence;

Australian Border Force Act 2015

16  Subsection 4(1) (paragraph (f) of the definition of intelligence agency)

Repeal the paragraph, substitute:

 (f) the Office of National Intelligence; or

17  After paragraph 46(l)

Insert:

 (la) a purpose relating to the performance of functions under section 7 of the Office of National Intelligence Act 2018;

Australian Crime Commission Act 2002

18  Subsection 4(1)

Insert:

ONI means the Office of National Intelligence.

19  Before subsection 59AA(3)

Insert:

ONI

 (2B) The CEO may disclose ACC information to ONI if:

 (a) the CEO considers it appropriate to do so; and

 (b) the information is relevant to the performance of ONI’s functions under section 7 of the Office of National Intelligence Act 2018; and

 (c) disclosing the ACC information would not be contrary to a law of the Commonwealth, a State or a Territory that would otherwise apply.

Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986

20  Subsection 11(4)

Omit “Office of National Assessments”, substitute “Office of National Intelligence”.

21  Subsection 21(3)

Omit “Office of National Assessments”, substitute “Office of National Intelligence”.

Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1979

22  Section 4 (paragraph (b) of the definition of intelligence or security agency)

Repeal the paragraph, substitute:

 (b) the Office of National Intelligence;

23  Section 4

Insert:

ONI means the Office of National Intelligence.

24  After paragraph 19A(1)(c)

Insert:

 (ca) ONI;

25  Subsection 35(1) (paragraph (c) of the definition of agency head)

Repeal the paragraph, substitute:

 (c) the DirectorGeneral of National Intelligence; or

Crimes Act 1914

26  Section 15K (subparagraph (a)(ii) of the definition of chief officer)

Omit “and”.

27  Section 15K (at the end of paragraph (a) of the definition of chief officer)

Add:

 (iii) in relation to the Office of National Intelligence—the DirectorGeneral of National Intelligence; and

28  Section 15K (at the end of paragraph (a) of the definition of intelligence agency)

Add “or”.

29  Section 15K (at the end of the definition of intelligence agency)

Add:

 ; or (c) the Office of National Intelligence.

30  Section 15K (at the end of paragraph (b) of the definition of intelligence officer)

Add “and”.

31  Section 15K (after paragraph (b) of the definition of intelligence officer)

Insert:

 (c) in relation to the Office of National Intelligence—a staff member of the Office of National Intelligence;

32  After subsection 15KA(3)

Insert:

 (3A) An application may only be made under subsection (3) by an intelligence officer of the Office of National Intelligence (ONI) for the purpose of ONI carrying out its function under paragraph 7(1)(g) of the Office of National Intelligence Act 2018.

33  At the end of subsection 15KB(4)

Add:

 ; or (h) in the case of the Office of National Intelligence—a person who holds the position, or performs the duties, of an APS Executive Officer Level 1 position, or an equivalent or higher position, in the Office of National Intelligence.

34  Paragraph 15KG(b)

After “agency”, insert “(other than the Office of National Intelligence)”.

35  Subsection 15KH(2)

After “chief officer”, insert “of a law enforcement agency or an intelligence agency (other than the Office of National Intelligence)”.

36  Subsection 15KI(2)

Omit “chief officer of a law enforcement agency or an intelligence agency who grants the authority”, substitute “person specified in subsection (2A)”.

37  After subsection 15KI(2)

Insert:

 (2A) For the purposes of subsection (2), the person who may make the request is:

 (a) the chief officer of a law enforcement agency who granted the authority; or

 (b) the chief officer of an intelligence agency (other than the Office of National Intelligence) who granted the authority; or

 (c) if the chief officer of the Office of National Intelligence granted the authority—the chief officer of another intelligence agency.

38  Subsection 15KX(2)

Omit “chief officer of a law enforcement agency or an intelligence agency who grants the authority”, substitute “person specified in subsection (2A)”.

39  Subsection 15KX(2) (note 1)

Repeal the note.

40  Subsection 15KX(2) (note 2)

Omit “Note 2”, substitute “Note”.

41  After subsection 15KX(2)

Insert:

 (2A) For the purposes of subsection (2), the person who may make the request is:

 (a) the chief officer of a law enforcement agency who granted the authority; or

 (b) the chief officer of an intelligence agency (other than the Office of National Intelligence) who granted the authority; or

 (c) if the chief officer of the Office of National Intelligence granted the authority—the chief officer of another intelligence agency.

Note: The chief officer may delegate functions under this section—see section 15LH.

42  Paragraph 15KY(3)(a)

After “agency”, insert “(other than the Office of National Intelligence)”.

43  Subsection 15LH(3) (after paragraph (g) of the definition of senior officer)

Insert:

 (ga) in relation to the Office of National Intelligence—an SES employee in the Office of National Intelligence, or a person occupying an equivalent or higher position in the Office of National Intelligence; and

44  Section 85ZL (paragraph (c) of the definition of intelligence or security agency)

Repeal the paragraph, substitute:

 (c) the Office of National Intelligence; or

Criminal Code Act 1995

45  Section 473.1 of the Criminal Code (paragraph (c) of the definition of intelligence or security officer)

Repeal the paragraph, substitute:

 (c) the Office of National Intelligence; or

Defence Act 1903

46  Subsection 71A(1) (paragraph (c) of the definition of intelligence or security agency)

Repeal the paragraph, substitute:

 (c) the Office of National Intelligence.

Freedom of Information Act 1982

47  Subparagraph 7(2A)(a)(iv)

Repeal the subparagraph, substitute:

 (iv) the Office of National Intelligence;

48  Division 1 of Part I of Schedule 2 (table item dealing with Office of National Assessments)

Repeal the item, substitute:

Office of National Intelligence

Independent National Security Legislation Monitor Act 2010

49  Section 4 (paragraph (j) of the definition of head)

Repeal the paragraph, substitute:

 (j) in relation to the Office of National Intelligence—the DirectorGeneral of National Intelligence; or

50  Section 4 (paragraph (j) of the definition of law enforcement or security agency)

Repeal the paragraph, substitute:

 (j) the Office of National Intelligence;

InspectorGeneral of Intelligence and Security Act 1986

51  Subsection 3(1) (paragraph (f) of the definition of head)

Repeal the paragraph, substitute:

 (f) in relation to ONI—the DirectorGeneral of National Intelligence; or

52  Subsection 3(1) (definition of intelligence agency)

Omit “ONA”, substitute “ONI”.

53  Subsection 3(1) (definition of ONA)

Repeal the definition.

54  Subsection 3(1)

Insert:

ONI means the Office of National Intelligence.

55  Subsection 8(3)

Omit “ONA” (first occurring), substitute “ONI”.

56  After subparagraph 8(3)(a)(i)

Insert:

 (ia) in the case of ONI—the compliance by ONI with directions given to ONI by the responsible Minister; or

57  Paragraph 8(3)(c)

Omit “ONA”, substitute “ONI”.

58  Subsection 8(5)

Omit “ONA”, substitute “ONI”.

59  Paragraph 8A(4)(b)

Omit “ONA”, substitute “ONI”.

60  Paragraph 15(3)(a)

Omit “ONA” (wherever occurring), substitute “ONI”.

61  Paragraph 21(1B)(a)

Omit “ONA” (wherever occurring), substitute “ONI”.

62  Paragraph 32A(1)(c)

Repeal the paragraph, substitute:

 (c) in the case of ONI—a report given to the Minister under section 46 of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013;

63  Paragraph 32A(5)(a)

Omit “ONA”, substitute “ONI”.

64  Subsection 32B(1)

Omit “or ASD”, substitute “, ASD or ONI”.

65  After subsection 35(2B)

Insert:

 (2C) The InspectorGeneral must include in a report referred to in subsection (2) the InspectorGeneral’s comments on the extent of compliance by ONI, during the period to which the report relates, with privacy rules made under section 53 of the Office of National Intelligence Act 2018.

Note: The rules referred to in subsection (2C) regulate the communication and retention of identifiable information (within the meaning of the Office of National Intelligence Act 2018).

Intelligence Services Act 2001

66  Section 3

Insert:

DirectorGeneral of National Intelligence means the DirectorGeneral of National Intelligence holding office under the Office of National Intelligence Act 2018.

67  Section 3 (definition of ONA)

Repeal the definition.

68  Section 3

Insert:

ONI means the Office of National Intelligence.

69  Section 3 (paragraph (c) of the definition of responsible Minister)

Repeal the paragraph, substitute:

 (c) in relation to ONI—the Minister responsible for ONI.

70  After paragraph 13A(1)(b)

Insert:

 (ba) ONI;

71  Paragraphs 29(1)(a) and (b)

Omit “ONA” (wherever occurring), substitute “ONI”.

72  Subsection 29(2)

Omit “ONA”, substitute “ONI”.

73  Before paragraph 29(3)(a)

Insert:

 (aa) reviewing anything done by ONI in its leadership of the national intelligence community, to the extent that it involves prioritising national intelligence priorities and requirements, and allocating resources accordingly, in relation to:

 (i) an intelligence agency (as defined by subsection 4(1) of the Office of National Intelligence Act 2018); or

 (ii) an agency with an intelligence role or function (as defined by subsection 4(1) of that Act); or

 (ab) reviewing anything done by ONI in its leadership of the national intelligence community, to the extent that it relates to:

 (i) an intelligence agency (as defined by subsection 4(1) of the Office of National Intelligence Act 2018) and a matter that would otherwise be covered by any of the following paragraphs of this subsection; or

 (ii) an agency with an intelligence role or function (as defined by subsection 4(1) of that Act) and a matter that would otherwise be covered by any of the following paragraphs of this subsection if those paragraphs applied to the agency; or

74  Paragraphs 29(3)(a), (b) and (e)

Omit “ONA”, substitute “ONI”.

75  After paragraph 29(3)(f)

Insert:

 (fa) reviewing the privacy rules made under section 53 of the Office of National Intelligence Act 2018; or

76  Paragraphs 29(3)(g) and (h)

Omit “ONA”, substitute “ONI”.

77  Paragraph 29(3)(i)

Repeal the paragraph, substitute:

 (i) reviewing anything done by ONI in carrying out the evaluation functions mentioned in section 9 of the Office of National Intelligence Act 2018; or

78  Paragraph 30(bb)

Repeal the paragraph, substitute:

 (bb) the DirectorGeneral of National Intelligence;

79  Sections 40A, 40J and 40K

Repeal the sections.

80  Subsection 41B(3) (definition of information offence provision)

Repeal the definition, substitute:

information offence provision means subsection 39(1), 39A(1), 40(1), 40B(1), 40C(1), 40D(1), 40E(1), 40F(1), 40G(1), 40H(1), 40L(1) or 40M(1).

81  Clause 1A of Schedule 1 (definition of agency)

Omit “ONA”, substitute “ONI”.

82  Clause 1A of Schedule 1 (paragraph (d) of the definition of agency head)

Repeal the paragraph, substitute:

 (d) the DirectorGeneral of National Intelligence; or

83  Clause 1A of Schedule 1 (paragraph (a) of the definition of operationally sensitive information)

Omit “ONA”, substitute “ONI”.

84  Paragraph 20(2)(d) of Schedule 1

Omit “ONA”, substitute “ONI”.

Privacy Act 1988

85  Subsection 6(1) (paragraph (c) of the definition of intelligence agency)

Repeal the paragraph, substitute:

 (c) the Office of National Intelligence.

86  After subsection 7(1A)

Insert:

 (1B) Despite subsections (1) and (2), a reference in this Act (other than section 8) to an act or to a practice does not include a reference to the act or practice by an agency with an intelligence role or function (within the meaning of the Office of National Intelligence Act 2018) so far as it involves the disclosure of personal information to the Office of National Intelligence.

87  Subsection 80P(7) (paragraph (c) of the definition of designated secrecy provision)

Omit “40A to 40M”, substitute “40B to 40H, 40L, 40M”.

88  Subsection 80P(7) (after paragraph (c) of the definition of designated secrecy provision)

Insert:

 (ca) sections 42 to 44 of the Office of National Intelligence Act 2018;

Public Interest Disclosure Act 2013

89  Section 8 (paragraph (f) of the definition of intelligence agency)

Repeal the paragraph, substitute:

 (f) the Office of National Intelligence.

90  Paragraph 72(1)(j)

Repeal the paragraph, substitute:

 (j) the Office of National Intelligence; or

Remuneration and Allowances Act 1990

91  Part 3 of Schedule 2 (table item dealing with DirectorGeneral, Office of National Assessments)

Omit “DirectorGeneral, Office of National Assessments”, substitute “DirectorGeneral of National Intelligence”.

Schedule 3Amendments contingent on the National Security Legislation Amendment (Espionage and Foreign Interference) Act 2018

 

Criminal Code Act 1995

1  Subsection 121.1(1) of the Criminal Code (paragraph (f) of the definition of domestic intelligence agency)

Repeal the paragraph, substitute:

 (f) the Office of National Intelligence.

Schedule 4Transitional provisions

Part 1Definitions

1  Definitions

(1) In this Schedule:

commencement means the day that this Schedule commences.

DirectorGeneral of ONA means the DirectorGeneral of ONA holding office under section 10 of the old law.

new law means the Office of National Intelligence Act 2018.

old law means the Office of National Assessments Act 1977, as in force immediately before commencement.

ONA means the Office of National Assessments established by section 4 of the old law.

(2) An expression used in this Schedule that is also used in the new law has the same meaning in this Schedule as it has in the new law.

Part 2DirectorGeneral’s continued appointment

2  DirectorGeneral of ONA continues as DirectorGeneral of National Intelligence

The person who held office as the DirectorGeneral of ONA immediately before commencement is taken to have been appointed as the DirectorGeneral of National Intelligence by the GovernorGeneral under section 24 of the new law:

 (a) for the balance of the person’s term of appointment that remained immediately before commencement; and

 (b) in relation to remuneration and allowances—on the same terms and conditions as applied to the person before commencement; and

 (c) in relation to any other term and condition of appointment—on the terms and conditions provided for by Division 3 of Part 3 of the new law.

Part 3References to, and things done by or in relation to, ONA or the DirectorGeneral

3  Things done by, or in relation to, ONA

(1) If a thing was done by, or in relation to, ONA, then the thing is taken, for the purposes of the operation of any law on and after commencement, to have been done by, or in relation to, ONI.

(2) The Prime Minister may, in writing, determine that subitem (1) does not apply in relation to a specified thing done by, or in relation to, ONA.

(3) To avoid doubt, doing a thing includes making an instrument.

(4) A determination under subitem (2) is not a legislative instrument.

4  Things done by, or in relation to, the DirectorGeneral of ONA

(1) If a thing was done by, or in relation to, the DirectorGeneral of ONA, then the thing is taken, for the purposes of the operation of any law on and after commencement, to have been done by, or in relation to, the DirectorGeneral of National Intelligence.

(2) The Prime Minister may, in writing, determine that subitem (1) does not apply in relation to a specified thing done by, or in relation to, the DirectorGeneral of ONA.

(3) To avoid doubt, doing a thing includes making an instrument.

(4) A determination under subitem (2) is not a legislative instrument.

Part 4Miscellaneous

5  Requests for reports or assessments

If, before commencement:

 (a) a request had been made under subsection 5(2) of the old law for a report or an assessment; and

 (b) the report had not been prepared or the assessment made;

then, the request is treated as if it had been made under section 22 of the new law.

Note: The DirectorGeneral of National Intelligence must endeavour to respond to requests under section 22 of the new law: see paragraph 16(1)(c) of the new law.

6  National Assessments Board

Membership of the Board

(1) If, immediately before commencement, a person was a member of the National Assessments Board, then the person continues to be a member of the Board on and after commencement until the person’s membership of the Board ceases due to a variation in the membership of the Board by the DirectorGeneral of National Intelligence under section 48 of the new law.

Board’s consideration of national assessments

(2) If:

 (a) an assessment was prepared before commencement; and

 (b) at commencement, the National Assessments Board had not completed its consideration of the assessment;

then, despite the repeal of the Office of National Assessments Act 1977, the Board must complete its consideration of the assessment, and the DirectorGeneral must deal with the assessment, in accordance with the old law.

7  Continuation of existing inquiries under the InspectorGeneral of Intelligence and Security Act 1986

 If the InspectorGeneral of Intelligence and Security had begun, but not completed, an inquiry in relation to ONA under section 8 of the InspectorGeneral of Intelligence and Security Act 1986 before commencement, then, for the purposes of completing that inquiry:

 (a) the InspectorGeneral of Intelligence and Security Act 1986, as in force on the day that the inquiry began, continues in force despite the amendments made by this Act and the enactment of the new law; and

 (b) any other Act amended by this Act, as in force on the day that the inquiry began, continues in force despite the amendments made by this Act.

Note: This means, for example, that a person who was given a notice under section 18 of the InspectorGeneral of Intelligence and Security Act 1986 before commencement in relation to an inquiry is still required to comply with the notice after that date if the person has not done so.

8  Transitional rules

(1) The Prime Minister may, by legislative instrument, make rules prescribing matters of a transitional nature (including prescribing any saving or application provisions) relating to:

 (a) the amendments or repeals made by this Act; or

 (b) the enactment of this Act or the new law.

(2) To avoid doubt, the rules may not do the following:

 (a) create an offence or civil penalty;

 (b) provide powers of:

 (i) arrest or detention; or

 (ii) entry, search or seizure;

 (c) impose a tax;

 (d) set an amount to be appropriated from the Consolidated Revenue Fund under an appropriation in this Act;

 (e) directly amend the text of this Act.

(3) This Act (other than subitem (2)) does not limit the rules that may be made for the purposes of subitem (1).

[Minister’s second reading speech made in—

House of Representatives on 28 June 2018

Senate on 29 November 2018]

(132/18)