Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Xenophon for his continued interest in Australian Signals Directorate. All communication interception activities by government agencies are conducted in strict accordance with Australian law. In Australia the privacy of communications is protected by the telecommunications interception and access regime—it is referred to as the interception act. I think it is worthwhile repeating that—many in this chamber would have been on many committees that have firsthand knowledge of this, including Senator Xenophon—the interception act prohibits the listening to, copying or recording of a communication as it passes over an Australian telecommunications system. Communications in Australia can only be intercepted under a warrant. Agencies such as the police must obtain and independently issue warrants for the investigation of serious offences. ASIO, itself, has to obtain the authorisation of the Attorney-General for its warrants on matters pertaining to national security.