16 October 2008
ATTORNEY-GENERAL WELCOMES PROGRESS ON IMPLEMENTATION OF STREET REVIEW
Attorney-General Robert McClelland today welcomed progress made by ASIO, the AFP and the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions in implementing key recommendations of the Street Review to improve national security operations.
This week the agencies informed the Government that they have fully implemented two key recommendations by:
- putting in place new Counter-Terrorism Prosecution Guidelines, to improve consultation and communication in the investigation and prosecution of terrorist offences; and
- agreeing on a new Joint Operations Protocol between ASIO and the AFP, to provide for regular and accountable exchange of national security information and ongoing high-level consultation on operations.
This follows the establishment by the agencies of the Chief Executive Interoperability Forum, to provide a regular opportunity for the agency heads to review and resolve strategic priorities and interoperability issues in national security operations.
The Street Review made 10 recommendations covering four broad areas – operational decision making; joint taskforce arrangements; information sharing; and training and education.
“Substantial progress has occurred in all areas and I particularly welcome full implementation of these two key recommendations,” Mr McClelland said.
“The public is entitled to expect that our national security agencies are functioning at the highest level both individually and collectively. The Government and these security agencies are working hard to ensure this occurs.”
The Government has separately established the Clarke Inquiry to review the case of Dr Mohamed Haneef and identify any further improvements to the operation of Australia’s national security agencies.
Media Contact: Adam Sims 02 6277 7300 or 0419 480 224.
