Competent Authorities Highest Volume of Requests

Question

Ms Veneros: Yes. Section 14 is usually at the request of a competent authority. 'Competent authority' can include ASIO, AFP-the competent authorities are listed in the determinations under the act. Senator PATERSON: Could you run me through who those competent authorities are other than ASIO and AFP? Are they state police bodies or any other federal bodies? Ms Veneros: Under section 14, it's an officer of the Department of Home Affairs, the Australian Federal Police or the Australian Trade and Investment Commission, although it's quite specific in relation to the Australian Trade and Investment Commission. It is the Secretary or SES employee of the Attorney-General's Department. It's the Director-General of Security or the Deputy Director-General of Security. Senator PATERSON: In practice, who's your biggest customer there? Who's the organisation that makes the highest volume of requests? I presume it's ASIO. Ms Veneros: I'll have to take that question on notice. I don't have that breakdown.

Answer

Please see attached answer.

Documents

• Question with answer (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
• QoN 174.pdf (opens in a new tab)