Former judge to be spook watchdog

A former Federal Court judge will be the next intelligence services watchdog.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott announced that Margaret Stone, who has been the Independent Reviewer of Adverse Security Assessments since December 2012, will replace Dr Vivienne Thom as Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security when her term expires later this year.

As IGIS, Justice Stone will be responsible for dealing with complaints against intelligence services including ASIO and ASIS and will also review activities of the agencies.