“Independence is fundamental to the Inspector-General’s role and the role of the Office of the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security.
This includes independence in selecting matters for inspection or inquiry as well as in undertaking and reporting on those activities. We have direct access to intelligence agency systems and are able to retrieve and check information independently.
Our approach is impartial and our assessments are unbiased.
Each of the intelligence agencies we oversee has its individual mandate.
To target our inspections and inquiries effectively and efficiently, we need to understand the purpose and functions of each of the intelligence agencies as well as their operational planning, risk management and approach to compliance.
We also need to have a sound understanding of the techniques and technologies used by the agencies to obtain, analyse and disseminate intelligence.
Being well-informed allows us to target our oversight resources to the areas of greatest risk.”
So there’s an agency called the Office of the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security.
Given ASIO aren’t interested I thought they might be interested in the origins of Coronavirus and the risks posed by unregulated Gain-of-Function research in Australia.
No big deal right. I mean they’re just deliberately mutating viruses to make them more infectious, right after we’ve apparently been through a pandemic caused by gain of function research.
Unfortunately no cigar.
Good to have a hobby indeed.
Quote from: igis.gov.au
Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee
12/02/2024
Estimates
ATTORNEY-GENERAL’S PORTFOLIO
Office of the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security
Senator RENNICK: I’ve got questions regarding the involvement of Australian scientists with the gain-of-function research around the coronavirus—in particular, Edward Holmes. It’s been disclosed that emails said that he discussed the origins of coronavirus with intelligence. I was wondering if you would know which department he spoke with? Professor Edward Holmes is a biological research Professor from the University of Sydney.
Dr Jessup : I don’t know.
Senator RENNICK: I know it’s not ASIO.
Dr Jessup : I don’t think it’s our business to know.
Senator RENNICK: It’s not your business to know?
Dr Jessup : No.
Senator RENNICK: I’ve asked ASIO and they don’t want to know about it. I’m curious to know where I go to. If it’s not you, who do I go to?
CHAIR: The agency before you has a very specific remit. I don’t know whether the witnesses can answer the question you’re asking. I don’t know if anyone else at the table can direct you correctly. I think we might be at cross-purposes here.
Senator RENNICK: That’s fine, Chair. Which agency is responsible for gain-of-function research in Australia and the threat that it poses to Australians? Gain-of-function research is happening here, in Australian universities, and I want to know—
Dr Jessup : We may have been at cross-purposes before, but the answer is that I don’t know the answer to that question and it’s not my job to find out.
Senator RENNICK: That’s fine. It’s my job to find out. You clearly don’t know, that’s fine. I’ve asked ASIO and they don’t want to know about it, so I thought you might know. But that’s fine; if you don’t want to know about it, that’s cool. Another cross-purpose with the departments—cool.
CHAIR: Senator!
Senator SHOEBRIDGE: It’s not they don’t want to know about it; they’ve said it’s not in their legislative remit.
CHAIR: Yes.
Senator RENNICK: That’s fine—good to know, I’ll get there one day. There’s a lot of departments in this federal government for a country of 25 million people.
CHAIR: Perhaps your colleagues can give you some assistance, Senator Rennick.
Senator SHOEBRIDGE: Good to have a hobby.
CHAIR: Were those all your questions?
Senator RENNICK: Yes, thanks, Chair.
