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Opening Statement
Senate Legal and Constitutional Legislation Committee
31 October 2005

  • I would like to take up your invitation to make a few opening remarks.
  • Let me start by paying tribute to my predecessor, Dennis Richardson, who, as you know, is now Australia's Ambassador in Washington.
    • Dennis Richardson steered ASIO through previously unchartered waters where we saw, for the first time, Australia and Australians become the focus for terrorist attacks.
    • This was a very challenging time and made enormous demands on ASIO, but I am pleased to say that Dennis Richardson left the Organisation in good shape, focused on meeting its responsibilities to the Australian people and on a solid footing for the future.
  • From my perspective, after a little over three months in the job, I can say that I am also destined to live in interesting times.
  • While it may have been two decades since there has been an attack on Australian soil, the threat today is very real and it is not abating.
  • Our assessment that a terrorist attack in Australia is feasible and could well occur is based on intelligence, public statements and actual attacks that show we have been within the strategic vision of Islamic extremists since before September 2001.
    • Australia has been targeted in terrorist attacks overseas including Bali in 2002 and 2005, our Jakarta Embassy in 2004 and our Embassy protection force in Iraq in 2005.
    • And we know that al-Qa'ida and like-minded groups have shown an intent to conduct attacks in Australia.
  • This year's attacks in London and Bali were a brutal and graphic reminder of the persistence and commitment of extremists to mount attacks against Westerners and, as we saw in Bali this month and Jakarta in September last year, with little regard for local victims who were indiscriminately killed or injured.
    • There was no specific intelligence warning of these attacks in which Australians also were killed or injured.
  • The task of preventing such attacks will not become any easier and we, like our counterparts around the world, cannot guarantee that we will always be successful in preventing attacks by:
    • people living amongst us;
    • those seeking to travel to Australia to conduct attacks; or
    • others intent on attacking Australian citizens and interests abroad
  • Nonetheless, the government and the community have an expectation that intelligence and law enforcement agencies will make every reasonable effort to ensure that Australians are protected from those who would do us harm.
    • You will be aware the Prime Minister and the Attorney-General announced a significant commitment of additional funds for ASIO that will see us double in size over the next five years
    • This will better equip us to meet the challenges and workload demands facing us now and into the future.
  • Recruitment of staff has already started and I am confident we will be able to attract and retain the high-calibre people we need.
    • The next few years will be an interesting and rewarding time to be a part of ASIO and the people we will bring in will inject new skills and fresh perspectives together with energy, enthusiasm and creativity.
    • We will train and develop them in ways that build a security intelligence capability that is well-equipped to take on the challenges of the 21st Century.
  • Our recruitment efforts are not just directed at acquiring a range of knowledge, skills and experience but also at attracting people from all parts of the community so that ASIO's workforce reflects the diversity of Australian society.
    • Recruitment and training will remain a particular focus for ASIO over the next few years.
  • We remain focused and committed to our security intelligence responsibilities, through:
    • continued cooperation with Australian law enforcement and other agencies;
    • and engagement with our regional and global network of partners.
  • Our work will continue to be conducted with legality and probity and with due regard to human rights and civil liberties.
    • ASIO will continue to use the special powers granted to us under legislation appropriately, in strict conformance with the law and with an approach that balances long-term perspectives with short-term demands.
    • Ultimately ASIO can only be effective so long as we continue to enjoy the trust of the community we serve and in which we operate.
  • I am happy to respond to your questions as best I can within the obvious limitations of this public forum on matters concerning intelligence and operations.