Australian Security Intelligence Organisation
Australian Security Intelligence OrganisationAustralian Security Intelligence OrganisationAustralian Security Intelligence OrganisationASIO's workYear in reviewPublicationsASIO Public StatementsCareers with ASIOContact Details

Skip Navigation Links

Director-General's Opening Statement
Senate Legal and Constitutional Legislation Committee
14 February 2006

  • Thank you for the opportunity to make some brief opening remarks.
    • My last appearance before the Committee on 31 October last year followed soon after the Prime Minister and the Attorney-General announced a significant commitment of additional funds for ASIO that will see ASIO's staff numbers 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 is well underway and I am confident we will be able to attract and retain the high-calibre people we need.
    • To do this we are continually looking at new and better ways to attract people, including from a range of cultural and ethnic backgrounds, who might not ordinarily consider applying for a position with ASIO.
    • In many cases, such people are just the ones we need to fill a range of positions and undertake various functions.
  • As has been said publicly, the additional resources are designed to allow us to better address both known and unknown sources of terrorist threat to Australia.
    • And will allow us to respond appropriately to the continuing threat of espionage and foreign interference into the lives of Australians.
  • The next few years will be a very interesting time for ASIO.
    • By 2010 the Organisation will look and feel quite different to the way it now appears but this will be as a result of carefully considered planning and staged implementation rather than ad hoc growth;
    • This transformation will take place in an environment of heightened threat to Australians here and abroad with an attack in Australia possible and further attacks overseas almost inevitable;
    • Against this background we will train and develop our people in ways that build a security intelligence capability that is well-equipped to take on the challenges of the 21st Century.
    • While continuing to operate in ways that are legal, proper, accountable and respect human rights and civil liberties.
  • 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.