Senate debates

Thursday, 12 December 2013

Committees

Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee; Reference

12:22 pm

Photo of Scott LudlamScott Ludlam (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

Just before this is committed to the record, the motion is for a reference to the references committee—I am just checking again as there might be an error on today's red. I am delighted to see this reference pass the chamber. Senators will be aware that I have been attempting to have an inquiry held into the surveillance regime in Australia for months. It has never been more urgent, and I would like to acknowledge the ALP for supporting this reference. I am extremely disappointed that the government cannot see to support it.

The Secretary of the Attorney-General's Department, under the previous government and under the current government, has acknowledged that the TIA Act is hopelessly outdated and urgently in need of review. This is not a hostile reference, but it is an extremely urgent one. The TIA Act was written in 1979, well before the age of the internet—I guess you could say it was in larval form—and this was the age of the lawful warrant in which, if you needed to surveil someone's phone calls or read their emails, you needed a warrant. So I commend this resolution to the Senate and look forward to working with members from all sides on the inquiry that is so long overdue. (Time expired)

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