National Intelligence Organization (Papua New Guinea)
Encyclopedia
The National Intelligence Organization (NIC) is the intelligence agency
of Papua New Guinea
.
It was established by the National Intelligence Organization Act, an Act
of Parliament
in 1984. As defined by the Act (art.7), the Organization's functions are to "collect, collate and process intelligence information", and provide the authorities with "timely, accurate and impartial assessments, forecasts and reports in respect of– matters affecting the maintenance of good order in the country; and the combating of seditious enterprises, espionage and sabotage and the provision of warning of potential military attack, armed incursions into the territory of Papua New Guinea or the use of military pressures against Papua New Guinea; and the preservation of national sovereignty and the detection of any attempts by a foreign power or person to engage in political, military or economic activities contrary to Papua New Guinea’s interests; and the prospects for world and regional, political, economic and social stability insofar as these could have implications for, or could affect, Papua New Guinea; and future trends of the availability of resources and of prices as these could have implications for Papua New Guinea."
The NIC is headed by a Director-General of Intelligence, appointed by the Head of State (the Queen
, whose duties are exercised by the Governor General), who appoints him or her acting on the advice of
the Prime Minister
, after consultation with the Leader of the Opposition. (art.8(1)(a))
The Act specifies that, before authorising the NIC to "collect intelligence information outside the country by other than overt means", the Director-General must obtain written authorisation from the Prime Minister. (art.12)
The NIC may not search any person or premises, nor subject any person or premises to listening devices, nor access or intercept a person's post, without a warrant delivered by the National Security Council, which consists in the Prime Minister and various Cabinet
Ministers. (part VI)
The identity of the Organization's agents and employees (other than the Director-General) is to be kept secret, and divulging the identity of any such agent or employee is an offence. (art.47)
The Organization is currently operational, and the key findings of its reports are occasionally made public and commented on in the media.
Intelligence agency
An intelligence agency is a governmental agency that is devoted to information gathering for purposes of national security and defence. Means of information gathering may include espionage, communication interception, cryptanalysis, cooperation with other institutions, and evaluation of public...
of Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea , officially the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, is a country in Oceania, occupying the eastern half of the island of New Guinea and numerous offshore islands...
.
It was established by the National Intelligence Organization Act, an Act
Act of Parliament
An Act of Parliament is a statute enacted as primary legislation by a national or sub-national parliament. In the Republic of Ireland the term Act of the Oireachtas is used, and in the United States the term Act of Congress is used.In Commonwealth countries, the term is used both in a narrow...
of Parliament
National Parliament of Papua New Guinea
The National Parliament of Papua New Guinea is the unicameral national legislature in Papua New Guinea. It was first created in 1964 as the House of Assembly of Papua and New Guinea, but gained its current name with the granting of independence in 1975....
in 1984. As defined by the Act (art.7), the Organization's functions are to "collect, collate and process intelligence information", and provide the authorities with "timely, accurate and impartial assessments, forecasts and reports in respect of– matters affecting the maintenance of good order in the country; and the combating of seditious enterprises, espionage and sabotage and the provision of warning of potential military attack, armed incursions into the territory of Papua New Guinea or the use of military pressures against Papua New Guinea; and the preservation of national sovereignty and the detection of any attempts by a foreign power or person to engage in political, military or economic activities contrary to Papua New Guinea’s interests; and the prospects for world and regional, political, economic and social stability insofar as these could have implications for, or could affect, Papua New Guinea; and future trends of the availability of resources and of prices as these could have implications for Papua New Guinea."
The NIC is headed by a Director-General of Intelligence, appointed by the Head of State (the Queen
Monarchy of Papua New Guinea
The monarchy of Papua New Guinea is a system of government in which a hereditary monarch is the sovereign of Papua New Guinea. The present monarch of Papua New Guinea is Queen Elizabeth II. Papua New Guinea share the Sovereign with a number of Commonwealth realms...
, whose duties are exercised by the Governor General), who appoints him or her acting on the advice of
Advice (constitutional)
Advice, in constitutional law, is formal, usually binding, instruction given by one constitutional officer of state to another. Especially in parliamentary systems of government, Heads of state often act on the basis of advice issued by prime ministers or other government ministers...
the Prime Minister
Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea
The Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, is Papua New Guinea's head of government, consequent on being the leader of the party or coalition with majority support in the National Parliament. Since 2 August 2011, the Prime Minister has been Peter O’Neill of the People's National Congress Party.-List...
, after consultation with the Leader of the Opposition. (art.8(1)(a))
The Act specifies that, before authorising the NIC to "collect intelligence information outside the country by other than overt means", the Director-General must obtain written authorisation from the Prime Minister. (art.12)
The NIC may not search any person or premises, nor subject any person or premises to listening devices, nor access or intercept a person's post, without a warrant delivered by the National Security Council, which consists in the Prime Minister and various Cabinet
Cabinet of Papua New Guinea
The Cabinet of Papua New Guinea functions as the policy and decision-making body of the executive branch within the government system of Papua New Guinea...
Ministers. (part VI)
The identity of the Organization's agents and employees (other than the Director-General) is to be kept secret, and divulging the identity of any such agent or employee is an offence. (art.47)
The Organization is currently operational, and the key findings of its reports are occasionally made public and commented on in the media.