All Eyes On ASIO: In Conversation

The Australian Government is moving to make some of ASIO’s most extraordinary compulsory questioning powers permanent.

These powers were originally introduced as temporary measures following 9/11 — with sunset clauses designed to ensure they would not become a permanent part of Australian law without ongoing parliamentary scrutiny.

Now, through the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2025, those same powers are being positioned for permanent continuation.

This raises serious questions for every Australian:

• When do temporary emergency powers become normalised?
• What protections remain when extraordinary powers lose their sunset clause?
• How do we balance genuine national security needs with civil liberties and democratic accountability?
• If these powers are used so rarely, why should they become permanent?

Join host Michael Arbon and special guest Robert Barwick as they unpack what this legislation actually does, how it compares to past expansions of state power, and why this debate matters well beyond party politics.

This is not a conversation about fear.
It is a conversation about principle.

Temporary powers have a habit of becoming permanent.

And once they’re embedded in law, they’re rarely wound back.

What We’ll Cover

• What the ASIO Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2025 actually changes
• The history of these powers since 2003
• Why sunset clauses matter
• Civil liberty concerns and parliamentary oversight
• How major parties and crossbench Senators are positioning themselves
• What Australians should be asking their representatives right now

Date & Time

Thursday 7 May | 6:00pm AEST

Hosted by

Michael Arbon - policy analyst and commentator on governance, civil liberties, and institutional accountability

Special Guest

Robert Barwick (Australian Citizens Party) - extensive experience analysing surveillance legislation, national security law, and the long-term expansion of extraordinary state powers.

Call to Action

This is one of the most important civil liberties debates currently before Parliament.

Join us live, understand the legislation for yourself, and be part of the national conversation before the Senate vote.

Can't join us live? No problem, regsiter now and we'll send you the recording.