George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Hansard source

Senator, with respect, just because you are confused does not mean that there is confusion about the bill; it means that you are confused about the bill. So let me respond to you. We know, of course, Senator, there is a lot of jargon that is used in discussion in this area of policy. Now that you have given me the definition that you are attribute to the word 'metatag', I can answer your question. No: anything that reveals content is explicitly excluded, even if it be material that contains what would otherwise be metadata—that is, that would otherwise fall within one of the six categories described in the table to proposed section 187 AA. If it also reveals content, then it is beyond the scope of the bill.