Inquiry into National Security Legislation reforms

The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security has commenced an inquiry into potential reforms of national security legislation.

The Committee will examine a package of national security ideas comprising proposals for telecommunications interception reform, telecommunications sector security reform and Australian intelligence community legislation reform.

While the Committee is seeking submissions on the  terms of reference  (by Monday, 6 August 2012). It has also released a discussion paper that  describes the reform proposals. The Committee strongly encourages you to have regard to the discussion paper in the preparation of submissions.

Some of those proposals sought by Attorney-General’s Department include:

  • the extension of telecommunications interception powers to social media like Twitter and Facebook
  • reducing the threshold for telecommunications content interception from offences carrying 7 years’ imprisonment to a lower, unspecified level
  • several expansion of ASIO powers

Submissions close Monday 6 August 2012

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