On 3 March 2022, the Australian Government tabled its response to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security’s Reviews of Administration and Expenditure: No. 18 (2018-2019) and No. 19 (2019-2020) - Australian Intelligence Agencies. The Committee made four recommendations. The Australian Government has considered these recommendations and has provided this response.

The 2017 Independent Intelligence Review found that Australia’s intelligence agencies are highly capable and held in high regard by their international partner agencies. The Review also found that as a result of transforming geopolitical, economic, societal and technological changes, the intelligence community will be faced with challenges that will intensify over the coming decade.

The terrorist attacks that took place in Christchurch on 15 March 2019 shocked the world. Citizens and governments alike questioned how the mass murder of 51 men, women and children could take place in a peaceful, democratic country like New Zealand. In the hours and days that followed, it became apparent that the internet was exploited to amplify the crimes. The alleged perpetrator livestreamed the murders on Facebook and from there, the video quickly spread, with individuals attempting to upload copies on mainstream and smaller digital platforms and websites.

Heads of Agreement for Skills Reform

This Agreement is made between the COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Commonwealth) and NEW SOUTH WALES, VICTORIA, QUEENSLAND, WESTERN AUSTRALIA, SOUTH AUSTRALIA, TASMANIA, the AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY and the NORTHERN TERRITORY (the States).

Objectives

Refugees and humanitarian entrants have always played an important role in enriching the Australian community and building our strong economy. The review will provide advice to the Government on how to better support refugees and humanitarian entrants to make valuable contributions to our social fabric and our economy. The review will recommend ways to improve integration, employment and settlement outcomes.

The review panel will report to Government by February 2019.

On 28 November 2018, the Prime Minister announced an independent review of Australia’s vocational education and training (VET) sector to examine ways to deliver skilled workers for a stronger economy. The review was led by the Honourable Steven Joyce, a former New Zealand Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment. Mr Joyce delivered the final report to the Government in March 2019.

Introduction

The Handbook

1. This Handbook provides an overview of current Federal Executive Council operations, in particular the preparation of documents for consideration by the Governor-General in Council.
2. This edition replaces the 2019 version of the Handbook.