I am pleased to announce the Governor-General has appointed Dr James Renwick SC as Australia’s Independent National Security Legislation Monitor. Dr Renwick has been acting as the Independent National Security Legislation Monitor since early 2017.
The Independent National Security Legislation Monitor performs an important role in ensuring that Australia’s national security and counter-terrorism legislation accords with the rule of law and is applied in a manner consistent with Australia’s human rights obligations.
Dr Renwick’s appointment demonstrates the Government’s ongoing commitment to national security. As an eminent barrister, Dr Renwick brings a wealth of legal expertise and a strong understanding of national security issues and the operation of relevant security agencies.
Dr Renwick is currently Senior Counsel at 12 Wentworth Selborne Chambers in Sydney and has been a senior member of the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal since 2014. He was appointed Senior Counsel in 2011 and was formerly a Principal Legal Officer at the Commonwealth Attorney-General’s Department and Northern Territory Department of Law.
I congratulate Dr Renwick on his appointment.