This bill became law on Sep 5th, 2025.
Immigration, border & security
Extends ASIOAustralia’s domestic security intelligence agency. This Act extends one set of ASIO questioning powers.’s compulsory questioning warrantA warrant that can require a specified person to attend questioning and answer ASIO’s questions for a security intelligence investigation. framework for 18 months, moving its sunset dateA date when a legal power automatically ends unless Parliament extends or replaces it. from 7 September 2025 to 7 March 2027.
ASIOAustralia’s domestic security intelligence agency. This Act extends one set of ASIO questioning powers.’s compulsory questioning warrantA warrant that can require a specified person to attend questioning and answer ASIO’s questions for a security intelligence investigation. powers were due to expire on 7 September 2025. The government introduced the bill to keep those powers available for another 18 months while broader reforms to the framework were developed and considered by the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and SecurityA parliamentary committee that reviews intelligence and security laws, including ASIO’s questioning powers.. The explanatory memorandum says the powers remained important for intelligence work on threats including espionage, politically motivated violence and foreign interference.
The Act is a short stopgap law in a longer review of ASIOAustralia’s domestic security intelligence agency. This Act extends one set of ASIO questioning powers.’s compulsory questioning powers. Those powers had been in force since 2003 and were scheduled to expire in September 2025. The government and Coalition both treated the extension as a way to avoid a gap while Parliament considered broader reforms to safeguards, oversight and the scope of the questioning framework.
No party represented in the collected debate opposed the bill, and the Coalition supported it without amendment. The main concern raised was narrower: compulsory questioning powers are intrusive, so Parliament should examine oversight, accountability and transparency carefully when considering the broader reform bill.
Tony Burke MP introduced this bill. It passed on the voices.
Did it become law?
Yes
Became law 05 Sept 2025
Final passage
Passed without a counted vote
Members called out ‘aye’ or ‘no’ — no individual votes were recorded.
Passage speed
44 days
From introduction to the latest recorded parliamentary step
Meaning
Extends ASIOAustralia’s domestic security intelligence agency. This Act extends one set of ASIO questioning powers.’s compulsory questioning warrantA warrant that can require a specified person to attend questioning and answer ASIO’s questions for a security intelligence investigation. framework for 18 months, moving its sunset dateA date when a legal power automatically ends unless Parliament extends or replaces it. from 7 September 2025 to 7 March 2027.
Keeps Division 3 of Part IIIThe part of the ASIO Act that contains the compulsory questioning warrant framework extended by this Act. of the ASIO ActThe main Commonwealth law setting out ASIO’s powers. This Act changes the sunset date in that law. operating, so ASIOAustralia’s domestic security intelligence agency. This Act extends one set of ASIO questioning powers. can continue to seek warrants that require a specified person to attend questioning for security intelligence investigations.
Continues the existing framework for apprehension, searches, questioning procedures, lawyers and minor’s representatives, complaints, secrecy rules, offences, reporting and oversight.
The government said the temporary extension was needed so ASIOAustralia’s domestic security intelligence agency. This Act extends one set of ASIO questioning powers. would not lose the powers while broader reforms were developed and considered by the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and SecurityA parliamentary committee that reviews intelligence and security laws, including ASIO’s questioning powers..
The explanatory memorandum says the bill has no financial impact, and the Act commenced on 6 September 2025, the day after Royal AssentThe final formal approval that turns a bill passed by Parliament into an Act..
1 Section 34JF Omit “7 September 2025”, substitute “7 March 2027”.Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Amendment Act (No. 1) 2025 final Act text
A compulsory questioning warrant requires a specified person to appear before a prescribed authority for questioning under the warrant immediately after the person is notified of the issue of the warrant, or at a time specified in the warrant.Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2025 explanatory memorandum
Subdivision C of Division 3 sets out the apprehension and search powers... Subdivision D... conduct of questioning... Subdivision F... rights... in relation to lawyers or minor’s representatives... Subdivision H sets out reporting, information-sharing and records management requirements.Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2025 explanatory memorandum
This extension will enable the government to progress reforms to ASIO’s questioning powers, and ensure the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) has sufficient time to consider those reforms.Minister’s second reading speech
The amendments in the Bill do not have a financial impact. Table item 1 in subclause 2(1) provides that the whole of the Act will commence on the day after the Act receives the Royal Assent. APH/FRL metadata records assent on 05 Sep 2025 and commencement on 06 Sep 2025.Explanatory memorandum and Act metadata
Context
The Act is a short stopgap law in a longer review of ASIOAustralia’s domestic security intelligence agency. This Act extends one set of ASIO questioning powers.’s compulsory questioning powers. Those powers had been in force since 2003 and were scheduled to expire in September 2025. The government and Coalition both treated the extension as a way to avoid a gap while Parliament considered broader reforms to safeguards, oversight and the scope of the questioning framework.
ASIOAustralia’s domestic security intelligence agency. This Act extends one set of ASIO questioning powers. questioning powers begin
Andrew Hastie told the House that ASIOAustralia’s domestic security intelligence agency. This Act extends one set of ASIO questioning powers.’s compulsory questioning framework was introduced in 2003 after the September 11 attacks and had been renewed repeatedly before later sunset dates.
House of Representatives Hansard ↗Parliamentary committee starts review
The minister said the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and SecurityA parliamentary committee that reviews intelligence and security laws, including ASIO’s questioning powers. began reviewing the compulsory questioning framework ahead of its 7 September 2025 sunset dateA date when a legal power automatically ends unless Parliament extends or replaces it., but did not complete the review before Parliament was prorogued.
Minister’s second reading speech ↗Government introduces temporary extension
The government introduced the bill to extend the sunset dateA date when a legal power automatically ends unless Parliament extends or replaces it. by 18 months so ASIOAustralia’s domestic security intelligence agency. This Act extends one set of ASIO questioning powers. could keep using compulsory questioning warrants while wider reforms were progressed.
Minister’s second reading speech ↗Royal AssentThe final formal approval that turns a bill passed by Parliament into an Act. avoids September expiry
Royal AssentThe final formal approval that turns a bill passed by Parliament into an Act. came two days before the previous 7 September 2025 sunset dateA date when a legal power automatically ends unless Parliament extends or replaces it., preserving Division 3 of Part IIIThe part of the ASIO Act that contains the compulsory questioning warrant framework extended by this Act. of the ASIO ActThe main Commonwealth law setting out ASIO’s powers. This Act changes the sunset date in that law. until 7 March 2027.
Final Act text and APH timeline ↗Legislative route
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Introduced and read a first time
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Second reading moved
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Referred to Federation Chamber
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Second reading debate
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
Second reading agreed to
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Reported from Federation Chamber
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Third reading agreed to
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Introduced and read a first time
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Second reading moved
The bill was referred to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and SecurityA parliamentary committee that reviews intelligence and security laws, including ASIO’s questioning powers. on 27 August 2025, with a committee report recorded for 28 August 2025.
Referred to committee
APH bill page notesThe APH notes record that the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights considered the bill in Report 4 of 2025.
Considered by scrutiny committee
The APH notes record that the Senate Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills considered the bill in Scrutiny Digest 4 of 2025.
Considered by scrutiny committee
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
Second reading agreed to
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Third reading agreed to
Both houses passed the bill in the same form, completing parliamentary passage.
Finally passed both Houses
The Governor-General gave Royal AssentThe final formal approval that turns a bill passed by Parliament into an Act., turning the bill into an Act.
Key criticism
No party represented in the collected debate opposed the bill, and the Coalition supported it without amendment. The main concern raised was narrower: compulsory questioning powers are intrusive, so Parliament should examine oversight, accountability and transparency carefully when considering the broader reform bill.
The criticism was about safeguards and review, not about letting the powers expire immediately.
Oversight of coercive powers
Andrew Hastie said people on both sides of Parliament had concerns about compulsory questioning powers and that oversight, accountability and transparency needed attention through the PJCISA parliamentary committee that reviews intelligence and security laws, including ASIO’s questioning powers. process.
Further sources
Votes
The bill passed both chambers on the voices, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes for final passage.
House agreed to the bill's third reading on the voices, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes for final passage in that chamber.
Passed on the voices
In a voice vote, members call out Aye or No and the presiding officer judges which side has it. Individual names are only recorded if a formal division is called.
Senate agreed to the bill's third reading on the voices, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes for final passage in that chamber.
Passed on the voices
In a voice vote, members call out Aye or No and the presiding officer judges which side has it. Individual names are only recorded if a formal division is called.
Parliamentary debate
Start here — lead voices
Tony Burke supports the bill because it keeps ASIOAustralia’s domestic security intelligence agency. This Act extends one set of ASIO questioning powers.'s compulsory questioning powers in place for another 18 months while broader reforms are developed and reviewed, so the agency can continue gathering critical intelligence in a changing security environment.
Read in Hansard ↗Michael McCormack supports the bill and the companion ASIOAustralia’s domestic security intelligence agency. This Act extends one set of ASIO questioning powers. reform bill, arguing that national security should be a top priority and that ASIOAustralia’s domestic security intelligence agency. This Act extends one set of ASIO questioning powers. needs effective questioning powers in a more dangerous security environment.
Read in Hansard ↗Tim Ayres supports the bill to extend ASIOAustralia’s domestic security intelligence agency. This Act extends one set of ASIO questioning powers.'s compulsory questioning powers for 18 months, saying it keeps important intelligence powers in place while the government reforms the framework and the parliamentary committee considers those changes.
Read in Hansard ↗Barnaby Joyce supports the bill, saying Australia faces serious foreign interference and espionage risks and needs ASIOAustralia’s domestic security intelligence agency. This Act extends one set of ASIO questioning powers. to be able to question people where national security requires it.
Read in Hansard ↗All speeches by bloc
2 speakers · 2 support
“In September 2023, the PJCIS elected to review the compulsory questioning framework ahead of its sunset date, but did not complete its review prior to the prorogation of Parliament earlier this year. This Bill will ensure ASIO retains these important powers to investigate and gather critical intelligence while reforms to the framework are progressed through Parliament, including consideration by the PJCIS.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“In September 2023, the PJCIS elected to review the compulsory questioning framework ahead of its sunset date, but it did not complete its review prior to the parliament being prorogued earlier this year. This bill will ensure ASIO retains these important powers to investigate and gather critical intelligence while reforms to the framework are progressed through parliament, including consideration by the PJCIS.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
3 speakers · 3 support
“We need the right investment to ensure that ASIO and other intelligence and counterintelligence organisations have the right resources and people in the right places right now to ensure they can continue to keep Australians safe.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“One only needs to read about the circumstances of history and how the world works. I might reflect deeply because this is something of the utmost importance to me, noting that this bill, the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2025, is about compulsory questioning within the framework of ASIO.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I want to the put on the record very, very clearly that the coalition will always support sensible reforms which empower Australian men and women serving on the front line in intelligence and law enforcement roles. We'll always back our intelligence officers in ASIS, our intelligence officers in ASIO and the AFP officers in law enforcement, who every day in the shadows work hard to keep us safe. So we'll be supporting this bill without amendment.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
Record
House · Introduced and read a first time
Introduced
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
House · Second reading moved
Second reading opened
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
House · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
House · Referred to Federation Chamber
Referred to Federation Chamber
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
House · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
House · Second reading agreed to
Second reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
House · Reported from Federation Chamber
Reported from Federation Chamber
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
House · Third reading agreed to
Third reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Senate · Introduced and read a first time
Introduced
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Senate · Second reading moved
Second reading opened
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Senate · Second reading agreed to
Second reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
Senate · Third reading agreed to
Third reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Parliament · Finally passed both Houses
Passed both houses
Both houses passed the bill in the same form, completing parliamentary passage.
Assent · Assent
Assent
The Governor-General gave Royal AssentThe final formal approval that turns a bill passed by Parliament into an Act., turning the bill into an Act.
Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security
Referred to committee
The bill was referred to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security on 27 August 2025, with a committee report recorded for 28 August 2025.
Referred to Committee (27 Aug 2025): Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security; Committee report (28 Aug 2025)
APH bill page notesParliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights
Considered by scrutiny committee
The APH notes record that the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights considered the bill in Report 4 of 2025.
Considered by scrutiny committee (27 Aug 2025): Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights; Report 4 of 2025
APH bill page notesSenate Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills
Considered by scrutiny committee
The APH notes record that the Senate Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills considered the bill in Scrutiny Digest 4 of 2025.
Considered by scrutiny committee (27 Aug 2025): Senate Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills; Scrutiny Digest 4 of 2025
APH bill page notes
