About

The Independent National Security Legislation Monitor (‘the Monitor’) is a statutory office holder who independently reviews Australia’s national security and counter-terrorism laws and can make recommendations for law reform.

The Monitor can initiate certain reviews of their own initiative, have a matter referred by the Prime Minister, the Attorney-General or the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) and is also required to undertake certain reviews by the Independent National Security Legislation Monitor Act 2010.

Reviews by the Monitor consider the operation, effectiveness and implications of the relevant law, whether it contains appropriate protections for individual rights, remains necessary and proportionate and whether it is consistent with Australia’s international obligations.

The Monitor has powers to access any material they consider relevant, including classified information, and can determine their own review process. The current review process usually involves the production of an issues paper, consultation meetings and a call for submissions from interested parties. There may be public and/or private hearings.

When a review is complete, the Monitor produces a report which is provided to the Attorney-General who then tables it in the Commonwealth Parliament. Previous reports are available on the Previous reviews page.

The Monitor is supported by a small team and is based in Canberra.