Special Intelligence Bureau
SIB
February 1917 – November 1919
Previously Counter Espionage Bureau (1916–1917).
Wartime counter-espionage and political surveillance bureau, monitoring enemy aliens, anti-conscription and anti-war activists and radical labour organisations. It was the forerunner of the Commonwealth Investigation Branch.
Names over time
- Counter Espionage Bureau1916–1917
- Special Intelligence Bureau1917–1919
How it came into existence
Created in February 1917 to continue the work of the Counter Espionage Bureau under George Steward, with a growing emphasis on counter-subversion; the National Archives describes it as the Prime Minister's Special Intelligence Bureau.
- Counter-espionage
- Surveillance of enemy aliens
Sources describe the bureau as created in 1917 to carry on the Counter Espionage Bureau's work rather than as a formal renaming.
How it ended
Combined with the Commonwealth Police Force in November 1919 to form the Investigation Branch of the Attorney-General's Department, under Harold Jones as director.
- Security intelligence
- Political surveillance
Main functions
- Counter-espionage
- Political surveillance and counter-subversion
- Monitoring of enemy aliens
Where it sits
Last in the portfolio of Prime Minister's Department.
Lineage
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Sources
Some dates or links for this organisation are not fully confirmed. Corrections are welcome.