Output Six: Intelligence
Performance Targets
Provide quality intelligence products and services
Achieved
A wide range of intelligence products and services was provided to customers in Defence and to other departments and agencies. These included intelligence assessments and reports, signals analysis, imagery and geospatial data and reports, and communications and information security services. The customer-base for intelligence was broadened, and distribution widened, to provide greater support for operations in Iraq and to combat global terrorism. The Group consistently received positive feedback on accuracy, timeliness and relevance of its products. The Group was proactive in broadening its customer base and expanding the electronic distribution of product to better suit the needs of many customers.
Of particular note was the Group's response to the challenge presented by regional terrorist organisations. The nature of these organisations differs markedly from traditional intelligence targets requiring our collectors to develop new methods to identify and track them. Our assessors in this field are often forced to work with uncorroborated, vague or sketchy information in forming their judgements. While this has been a difficult learning process, it has brought about unprecedented levels of cooperation within the Australian intelligence community and with our key intelligence partners. All agencies are acutely aware of the potentially disastrous consequences of failing to collect the right information or of drawing the wrong inference. Our hitherto limited ad-hoc efforts against terrorist organisations have been consolidated into systems and structures designed to deal with this threat over the long term.
Ensure effective and sustainable intelligence support for the planning and conduct of ADF operations and for decision-makers
Achieved
ADF operators reported a high level of satisfaction with the support provided to them, despite the pressure of the high tempo of operations.
Maintain and develop first rate defence intelligence and geospatial information capabilities
Substantially Achieved
The Defence intelligence program continued to satisfy the bulk of higher priority intelligence requirements. Some current shortcomings will be remedied over the next few years as a number of major capital equipment projects progress and specialists are recruited and further develop their skill levels. The Defence Imagery and Geospatial Organisation continued to produce integrated imagery and geospatial products for national and Defence customers, and commenced a review of the memorandum of understanding with the United States for geospatial information.
Maintain the knowledge edge by exploiting new technology
Achieved
The Group's ability to support the knowledge edge in intelligence collection and analysis is critically dependent on acquiring and exploiting new technologies. Continued technological advances in a range of areas, including signals intelligence, imagery and mapping, and processing and dissemination, are increasing the Group's ability to support intelligence customers.
Strengthen the intelligence contribution to the US alliance, and to relationships with other intelligence partners
Achieved
Close and effective relationships with Australia's intelligence partners make a major contribution to the intelligence output. The Group continued to strengthen these relationships through collaboration and burden sharing in the introduction of new capabilities, as well as through the ongoing exchange of intelligence product, high-level liaison, good working relationships and improved communications and connectivity. The Group played a leading role in developing interoperability solutions for deployed forces in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Improve investment and capability planning, accountability and resource and security management.
Achieved
Accountability has been maintained and improved through participation in Defence planning and reporting processes, including the balanced scorecard, charter letters, the Defence Management and Finance Plan, and monthly reporting to the Defence Committee. The introduction of the Intelligence Services Act 2001 provided a clear framework for the further development of accountability systems and procedures. The Group now has in-house specialist legal advice to assist with governance issues.
Ensure processes and systems are effective and continuously improving
Substantially Achieved
The Defence intelligence agencies pursued a variety of initiatives to enhance collection, collection management, and production management processes and systems. Further improvements continued, especially measures to better integrate intelligence systems and architectures.
Develop motivated, adaptable and skilled teams of highly competent professionals
Substantially Achieved
The Defence intelligence agencies implemented a range of measures in response to results from the annual staff survey, including the improvement of leadership training courses, and the extension of this training to lower-ranked staff. The Defence Imagery and Geospatial Organisation has introduced a course at the Australian Defence Force Academy, leading to a Graduate Certificate of Arts (Intelligence).