This inquiry was referred on 4 July 2019 by the Attorney-General pursuant to subparagraph 29(1)(b)(ia) of the Intelligence Services Act 2001. The inquiry is to report on the impact of the exercise of law enforcement and intelligence powers on the freedom of the press.

The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security is required under Section 29(1)(a) of the Intelligence Services Act 2001, to conduct an annual review of the administration, expenditure and financial statements of the ASIO, ASIS, AGO, DIO, ASD and ONA.

The Committee is required under Section 187N of the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979 to review amendments made to Commonwealth legislation by the Telecommunications and Other Legislation Amendment (Assistance and Access) Act 2018 and to complete its review by 30 September 2020.

The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security has commenced a review of the Australian Citizenship Amendment (Citizenship Cessation) Bill 2019. The Bill amends the citizenship cessation provisions in the Australian Citizenship Act 2007. The review was referred to the Committee by the Hon Peter Dutton MP, Minister for Home Affairs.

The Committee is required by Section 187N of the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979 (TIA Act) to review the mandatory data retention regime proscribed by Part 5-1A of the TIA Act and provides for the completion of the review by 13 April 2020.