Chris Ellison (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Justice and Customs) Share this | Hansard source

Okay, we will do it that way. I will just outline what we are getting at, just so that we take the argument in its context. An email would not commence its passage over the telecommunications system until such time as it exits the AFP network boundary, and ceases its passage as soon as it enters the AFP network at the firewall or mail sweeper server. Of course, that would enable lawful access to those communications for the AFP within the AFP network boundary.

As I have just said, we are looking at other networks but, in the first instance, the AFP has asked for this ability for professional standards purposes, and we can understand that. We have just introduced into the parliament legislation which deals with AFP professional standards and the ACC. The amendments that I will be proposing are subject to a sunset clause and will cease to have effect two years from the date of commencement. But I think that that is important for the AFP. We can take the vote in two parts, but we believe that it is an important aspect for quality assurance or, more importantly, professional standards assurance for the AFP to monitor its own network. I commend government amendment (4), but I appreciate that if that is the way the committee wants to deal with that amendment then we will deal with it in two parts.