The Parliament has today passed legislation that will ensure our national security agencies continue to have the powers they need to combat current and emerging threats to national security.
The Comprehensive Review of the Legal Framework of the National Intelligence Community (the Richardson Review) made clear that the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979 (TIA Act) has not kept up with the modern communications environment and that both targeted and substantive reforms are required.
The Foreign Intelligence Legislation Amendment Bill 2021 updates the foreign communications warrant provisions in the TIA Act to reflect changes in communications technology and allow the collection of foreign intelligence on Australians who are acting for, or on behalf of a foreign power, subject to strong legal safeguards and independent oversight mechanisms.
These reforms will ensure that intelligence agencies can continue to protect Australians and Australian interests.
