As part of a major re-organisation of the Defence Structure, which began in 1969, the Joint Intelligence Bureau (CA 1566) was amalgamated with sections of the three armed service Directorates of Intelligence to form a Joint Intelligence Organisation (JIO).
The stated purpose of JIO was to provide a uniform environment for the quick and complete pooling of information and the consideration of the diverse factors that have to be weighed at the national or strategic level of assessment. Matters which are considered by the Organisation include strategic political, military, economic and scientific factors.
Within this framework the Joint Intelligence Committee (CA 400) was replaced by a National Intelligence Committee at a high level, which is responsible for broad assessments projections relevant to the planning of national security policy. The Joint Intelligence Organisation reports to the National Intelligence Committee on major projects.
Externally, the J.I.O. was responsible to the Defence Committee, which comprises the permanent heads of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, and the Defence, Foreign Affairs, (now Foreign Affairs and Trade), and Treasury Departments, the Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee and the Service Chiefs of Staff.
The Directors of the Organisation have been:
R.W. Furlonger 1969 - 1973
G.A. Jockel 1973 - 1979
A.W. McMichael 1979 - 1983
J.O. Furner 1983 - 1985
G.R. Marshall 1985 - 1988
P Dibb 1988 - 1989
J.S. Baker by 1989 -
In 1982, the then Director, A.W. McMichael assisted by the Deputy Director Military (Brigadier K.H. Kirkland) and the Deputy Director Civilian (N.L. Webb), oversaw a staff divided into the following sections, each headed by an Assistant Director:
Defence Economic Intelligence
Defence Scientific and Technical Intelligence
Service Intelligence
Defence Intelligence Estimates Staff
Programs and Research Support
Military Geography and Social Research
(Commonwealth Directory, 1982, p140)
On 22 October 1990 the name of the Joint Intelligence Organisation was changed to Defence Intelligence Organisation (DIO).
Historical agency address
Department of Defence, Russell Offices, Canberra, ACT
Superior agency unregistered
National Intelligence Committee (jointly with Defence Committee)