Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission Bill 2026; Second Reading

Summary

Australia's criminal intelligence agency, the ACIC, is being given significantly stronger powers to fight serious and organised crime, which costs the economy an estimated $82.3 billion annually. The legislation replaces the old ACC Act and equips the ACIC with new coercive powers (like compelling people to hand over documents or give evidence), the ability to conduct undercover intelligence operations, and authority to execute search warrants—all previously unavailable or limited. These changes are balanced by strict oversight from the Attorney-General, an independent examiner, and the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security, along with new record-keeping and reporting requirements. For ordinary Australians, this means law enforcement will have better tools to disrupt organised crime networks, though it also creates new criminal offences for failing to comply with ACIC notices or destroying documents. The legislation also keeps existing national policing information systems running so police across Australia can share criminal history data instantly, and allows the ACIC to provide criminal intelligence assessments for background checks on firearms licences and secure environment access.

What happens at this stage

The main debate on whether the chamber supports the broad purpose of the bill. Members speak to its overall merits and concerns rather than the fine print. The government outlines its policy intentions; the opposition and crossbench put their case. This is the stage that determines whether the bill proceeds at all.

Next: Consideration in Detail (House) or Committee of the Whole (Senate), where the bill is examined clause by clause