This advisory report examined the Bill to strengthen the transparency of foreign influence in Australia’s political and government decision making.

During its inquiry, the committee received compelling evidence that Australia is facing an unprecedented threat from espionage and foreign interference. The committee also received evidence that current laws are not adequate to deal with this threat.

This review focused upon whether there is a need for an ASIO questioning power in the current security context, and the interaction of ASIO’s questioning and detention powers with other counter-terrorism powers that have more recently been introduced.

This report recommends that the Criminal Code Amendment (High Risk Terrorist Offenders) Bill 2016 be passed, but with several amendments. The bill will allow for continuing detention orders (CDO's) to keep convicted terrorists detained once their sentences have been served, if they are deemed to pose an unacceptible risk.

This report discusses the purpose of the Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2015, and recommends it be passed with amendments.