A push to increase parliamentary oversight of intelligence agencies has been met with resistance from a handful of government agencies, but the senator behind the bill said it's a decision for parliament and not the bureaucracy.

The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security would be given the power to review the operations of intelligence agencies such as ASIO, the Australian Signals Directorate and the Office of National Assessments under the bill, an extension of current powers to review administration and expenditure.

A parliamentary committee could investigate intelligence operations.

It hasn't been warmly welcomed in submissions from various government agencies, with a range of warnings against giving members of parliament such powers.

Oversight of operational activities by the parliamentary committee isn't required, according to Prime Minister and Cabinet, whose submission largely quoted from last year's independent intelligence review. The review found extending the committee's oversight powers was "not required to ensure agencies are operating effectively, legally and with propriety".